涨知识：关于谷雨你可能不知道的5件事！（双语）

　　The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Grain Rain (Chinese: 谷雨)，as the last term in spring, starts on April 20 and ends on May 4.

　　中国传统农历将一年分为24个节气，其中谷雨(Grain Rain)是春天最后一个节气。今年的谷雨从4月20日开始，到5月4日结束。

　　Grain Rain originates from the old saying, "Rain brings up the growth of hundreds of grains," which shows that this period of rainfall is extremely important for the growth of crops. The Grain Rain signals the end of cold weather and a rapid rise in temperature. Here are five things that you may not know about the Grain Rain.

　　谷雨源自古人“雨生百谷”之说，这说明，这一时期的降雨对农作物的生长极为重要。谷雨标志着寒冷天气的结束以及气温的快速上升。以下是关于谷雨你可能不知道的五件事。

　　Key time for agriculture

　　1、谷雨农事忙。

　　Grain Rain brings a marked increase in temperature and rainfall and the grains grow faster and stronger. It’s a key time to protect the crops from insect pests.

　　谷雨的到来会导致温度显著上升、降雨大量增加，农作物长得又快又壮。这也是保护农作物免遭虫害的关键时期。

　　Sandstorms occur

　　2、春夏沙尘虐。

　　Grain Rain falls between the end of spring and the beginning of summer, with infrequent cold air moving to the south and lingering cold air in the north. From the end of April to the beginning of May, the temperature rises much higher than it does in March. With dry soil, an unsteady atmosphere and heavy winds, gales and sandstorms become more frequent.

　　谷雨正处于春末夏初之间，既有罕见的冷空气南下，又有北方的冷空气久久徘徊。4月底到5月初，气温上升的幅度远高于3月份。再加上干燥的土壤、不稳定的大气层以及大风，季风和沙尘暴就发生的越来越频繁。

　　Drinking tea

　　3、谷雨饮春茶。

　　There is an old custom in southern China that people drink tea on the day of Grain Rain. Spring tea during Grain Rain is rich in vitamins and amino acids, which can help to remove heat from the body and is good for the eyes. It is also said that drinking tea on this day would prevent bad luck.

　　中国南方有一个古老的习俗，那就是谷雨这天要喝春茶。谷雨时的春茶富含丰富的维生素和氨基酸，可以帮助身体散热，同时具有明目的功效。还有观点认为，喝谷雨茶能驱赶霉运。

　　Eating toona sinensis

　　4、香椿正味美。

　　People in northern China have the tradition to eat the vegetable toona sinensis during Grain Rain. An old Chinese saying goes "toona sinensis before the rain is as tender as silk". The vegetable is nutritious and can help to stengthen the immunie system. It is also good for the stomach and skin.

　　中国北方有在谷雨节气吃香椿芽的传统。中国有句古话，“雨前香椿嫩如丝”。香椿芽营养丰富，可以帮助增强免疫系统，对肠胃和皮肤也大有裨益。

　　Grain Rain Festival

　　5、谷雨拜神灵。

　　The Grain Rain festival is celebrated by fishing villages in the coastal areas of northern China. Grain Rain marks the start of the fishermen’s first voyage of the year. The custom dates back more than 2,000 years ago, when people believed they owed a good harvest to the gods, who protected them from the stormy seas. People would worship the sea and stage sacrifice rites on the Grain Rain festival, praying for a bountiful harvest and a safe voyagel for their loved ones.

　　在中国北方沿海地区的渔村，谷雨这天要举行庆祝活动。谷雨标志着渔民们一年里首航的开始。这一习俗可追溯到2000多年前，当时人们认为，在波涛汹涌的海面上，多亏了神灵保佑，他们才能丰收。在谷雨节这天人们会祭海并举办节日活动，以祈求出海满载而归以及家人的平安。