As the plum rain season, also known as 梅雨季节 (méiyǔ jìjié), is coming to an end, the weather outside is getting extremely hot.
And for those of us who didn't grow up experiencing this kind of heat, it might be challenging to survive throughout the day.
So this week, let’s look at some traditional and creative ways to stay cool during the summer 🧊
6 Ways To Keep Cool
in Summer Heat
01. Wear Suitable Clothing
Let's start with clothes. To help you body stay cool, it's important to choose light-weight, breathable fabrics. Here are some keywords for your Taobao search:
亚麻
yàmá
linen
纯棉
chúnmián
100% cotton
(lit. "pure-cotton")
速干
sùgān
fast-dry; instant dry
防晒
fánɡshài
UV protection; sunburn protection
.NOTE.
When you search for clothes online, use the words above as adjectives, and add a [piece of clothing] after them. For example, 速干T恤 (sùgān tīxù), "fast-dry t-shirt", or 亚麻连衣裙 (yàmá liányīqún), "linen dress".
During the hot days, we lose more water through our skin and respiration. So staying hydrated is key:
多喝水
duō hē shuǐ
to drink more water
补水
bǔ shuǐ
to stay hydrated
(lit. "to replenish water")
保持身体水分
bǎochí shēntǐ shuǐfèn
to stay hydrated
(lit. "to maintain-body-moisture")
It's also a good idea to eat light, cooling food. It's easier for the body to maintain a lower temperature if it's not busy digesting heavy meals.
清淡
qīngdàn
light (of food)
That's why you might notice that a popular summer meal in China is cold noodles mixed with sliced cucumbers and veggies 🥒
04. Use Accessories
While fans have been around for centuries, some smart devices have only been invented in the recent years:
扇子
shànzi
fan
电风扇
diànfēngshàn
electric fan
迷你小风扇
mínǐ xiǎo fēngshàn
mini (portable) fan
空调
kōngtiáo
air conditioner
穿戴式空调
chuāndàishì kōngtiáo
wearable a/c
(lit. "wear-type-air-conditioner")
05. Stay in the Shade
Embrace the shade! During the summer, you will notice local people carrying umbrellas, or hiding in the shade while waiting for a traffic light. It's always good to avoid extra exposure to UV rays, and protect yourself from the heat:
背阴
bèiyīn
shade
遮阳伞
zhēyángsǎn
umbrella (for the sun); parasol
06. Plan Indoor Activities
When it gets too hot out, no matter what clothes you wear and how much water you drink, it's important to take breaks from the heat to cool down. Good chance to visit museums, theaters and exhibitions!
室内活动
shìnèi huódòng
indoor activities
去博物馆
qù bówùguǎn
to visit a museum
看展览
kàn zhǎnlǎn
to see an exhibition
看剧
kàn jù
to see an play
看演出
kàn yǎnchū
to see a performance/show (dancing, singing, etc.)
Practice with Teachers
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@thatsmandarin006