Meaning: “龙舟” refers to “dragon boat,” and “水” means “water.” Frequently seen in news headlines recently, this term, translated as “dragon boat rain,” refers to the large amount of precipitation observed in South China around the time of the Dragon Boat Festival (the fifth day in the fifth month of the lunar calendar). Each year between May 21 and June 20, in the period leading up to the summer solstice, the maritime air masses from the south and the continental air masses from the north meet in the southern Chinese regions of Guangdong, Fujian and Guangxi, leading to frequent and heavy downpours. Traditionally, people think the rains are auspicious, and some wash their faces with the rainwater as a ritual. In the meantime, the rains fill up rivers, providing people with good arenas for dragon boat racing. Example: A: 天气预报说周末又下雨,我只好在家追剧了。 Tiānqì yùbào shuō zhōumò yòu xiàyǔ ,wǒ zhīhǎo zàijiā zhuījù le。 The weather forecast says it will rain again this weekend, leaving me the only choice of staying at home and watching shows. B: 这段时间是龙舟水期间,出门记得带伞。 zhèduàn shíjiān shì lóngzhōushuǐ qījiān,chūmén jìdé dài sǎn。 We are in the middle of the “dragon boat rain” period. Remember to take an umbrella with you whenever you’re going out. |