小寒是中国传统二十四节气（the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms）中的第二十三个节气，英语表达为Minor Cold。
俗话说：小寒大寒，冻成冰团。小寒意味着一年中最为寒冷的时节已经到了。
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小寒时节，中国大部分地区已进入寒冬。天寒地冻，河水结冰，北方的冷空气持续向南推进。During Minor Cold, most areas in China have entered the bitter cold stage of winter. The ground and rivers are frozen. The cold air from the north moves southward continuously.但寒冷的天气，并不能阻止人们享受生活，为即将到来的春节做准备。Still, bitter cold can't prevent people from enjoying their lives and preparing for the forthcoming Spring Festival.尽管“小寒”这个名称意味着它没有下一个节气“大寒”那样冷，但据中国气象资料显示，小寒才是一年中气温最低的时期，古代也有“冷在三九”的说法。“三九”指冬至过后的第三个九天（即冬至后的第十九天至第二十七天），而这段时间正处于小寒内。事实上，小寒往往是冬季中最冷的时段，注意保暖是非常重要的。"Sanjiu period" refers to the third nine-day period (the 19th-27th days) after the day of the Winter Solstice, which is in Minor Cold. Actually Minor Cold is normally the coldest period of winter. It is important to keep warm during this period.进入小寒年味渐浓，人们开始忙着写春联、剪窗花，赶集买年画、彩灯、鞭炮、香火等，陆续为春节作准备。During Minor Cold, people start stocking New Year goods, which include Spring Festival couplets, New Year pictures, paper-cuts for window decoration, fire crackers, incense and lanterns.中国有句老话：“冬练三九。”在锻炼前做好热身和保暖措施，最好选择日出后的时段锻炼身体，可起到强身健体的作用。总的来说，小寒是中国最寒冷的时节，也是锻炼和改善体格的最佳时期。孩子们会玩一些特别的游戏来保暖，如滚铁环和“斗鸡”（也叫“撞拐子”）。Generally, Minor Cold is the coldest period in China, which is the best time for exercising and improving one’s physique. To keep warm, Chinese children have special games to play, such as hoop rolling and the cockfighting game.从饮食健康角度而言，小寒期间，人们应当吃一些热性食物来滋养身体，抵御严寒的侵袭。但冬季气温干燥，也要注意上火等症状。俗语说“三九补一冬，来年无病痛”。寒冬时节，人们日常饮食偏重于温性食物以补足身体的阳气，防止寒气伤身。According to traditional Chinese medicine theories, people tend to eat food that contains more yang energy to prevent cold from harming their organs. 温性食物包括鲑鱼、胡椒粉、桂皮、韭菜、茴香和西芹等。此时正是吃火锅和红烧羊肉的好时候。但需要注意的是，吃太多辛辣的食物可能会引起急性胃炎。Hot foods include trout, pepper, cinnamon, leeks, fennel and parsley. It is the best time of the year to have hot pot and braised mutton with soy sauce. But it is sensible to notice that too much spicy food may cause acute gastritis.饮食上，涮羊肉火锅、糖炒栗子、烤地瓜成为小寒“食”尚。Mutton hot pot, chestnuts and baked sweet potato are three recommended foods for Minor Cold. 此外，牛肉、芝麻、核桃、杏仁和葡萄干也是备受青睐的小寒吃食。Beef, sesame, walnuts, almonds and raisins are also good choices for Minor Cold.到了小寒时节，也是老中医和中药房最忙的时候，一般入冬时熬制的膏方都吃得差不多了。到了此时，有些人家会再熬制一点，吃到春节前后。Minor Cold is also the busiest time for doctors and pharmacies of traditional Chinese medicine. Many people need them to prepare new medicines, which will be consumed before the Lunar New Year.小寒吃黄芽菜，是天津的一项习俗。“黄芽菜”是白菜的一个旧称，因其菜心浅黄如嫩芽，故名“黄芽菜”。为方便保存，冬季人们还会将其腌制，做成“冬菜”。
黄芽菜富含维生素A和维生素B。鲜嫩的黄芽菜炒、烧和炖均可。There are large amounts of Vitamins A and B in huangyacai. Ashuangyacai is fresh and tender, it is fit for frying, roasting and braising.
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