Speaking
Chinese Seasons & Weather Small Talk — 四季 and 天气 for Daily Conversation
Talk about the four seasons, describe weather and temperature, talk about seasonal clothing, and plan seasonal activities and holiday travel in Mandarin. Includes pinyin, examples, and natural phrases for daily small talk.
2026-08-18 · 7 min read
The four seasons — 四季 (sì jì)
A season is 季节 (jì jié), and the four seasons are 四季 (sì jì): 春天 (chūn tiān) spring, 夏天 (xià tiān) summer, 秋天 (qiū tiān) autumn, and 冬天 (dōng tiān) winter. To say which season it is, use 现在是 (xiàn zài shì) — it is now: 现在是春天 (xiàn zài shì chūn tiān) — it is spring now.
To talk about favorites: 你最喜欢哪个季节 (nǐ zuì xǐ huan nǎ ge jì jié) — which season do you like best? 我最喜欢秋天 (wǒ zuì xǐ huan qiū tiān) — I like autumn best. 为什么 (wèi shén me) — why? A common answer: 因为天气很舒服 (yīn wèi tiān qì hěn shū fu) — because the weather is very comfortable.
Describing weather and temperature — 天气 (tiān qì) and 温度 (wēn dù)
Useful temperature words: 暖和 (nuǎn huo) warm, 凉爽 (liáng shuǎng) cool, 热 (rè) hot, 冷 (lěng) cold, 闷热 (mēn rè) hot and humid. Descriptions: 春天很暖和 (chūn tiān hěn nuǎn huo) — spring is warm, 夏天太热了 (xià tiān tài rè le) — summer is too hot, 秋天很凉爽 (qiū tiān hěn liáng shuǎng) — autumn is cool, 冬天特别冷 (dōng tiān tè bié lěng) — winter is especially cold.
To ask about the temperature: 今天多少度 (jīn tiān duō shao dù) — what is the temperature today? Answer with 度 (dù) — degree: 三十度 (sān shí dù) — thirty degrees, 零下五度 (líng xià wǔ dù) — minus five degrees. 气候 (qì hòu) means climate: 这里气候怎么样 (zhè lǐ qì hòu zěn me yàng) — what is the climate like here?
Seasonal clothing — 换季衣物 (huàn jì yī wù)
换季 (huàn jì) means the change of seasons, and 换衣服 (huàn yī fu) means to change clothes. Key clothing words: 外套 (wài tào) coat, 毛衣 (máo yī) sweater, 羽绒服 (yǔ róng fú) down jacket, 短袖 (duǎn xiù) short sleeves, 围巾 (wéi jīn) scarf, 手套 (shǒu tào) gloves.
Useful sentences: 天气冷了，多穿点衣服 (tiān qì lěng le, duō chuān diǎn yī fu) — it is getting cold, wear more clothes. 夏天穿短袖 (xià tiān chuān duǎn xiù) — wear short sleeves in summer. 今天穿什么合适 (jīn tiān chuān shén me hé shì) — what is suitable to wear today? 需要带伞吗 (xū yào dài sǎn ma) — do I need an umbrella?
Seasonal activities and holiday travel — 假期出游 (jià qī chū yóu)
Seasonal activities: 春游 (chūn yóu) spring outing, 避暑 (bì shǔ) escape the summer heat, 赏秋 (shǎng qiū) enjoy the autumn scenery, 滑雪 (huá xuě) skiing. 假期 (jià qī) means holiday, and 出游 (chū yóu) means to go on a trip.
Planning phrases: 夏天去海边避暑 (xià tiān qù hǎi biān bì shǔ) — go to the seaside in summer to escape the heat. 秋天是旅游的好季节 (qiū tiān shì lǚ yóu de hǎo jì jié) — autumn is a good season for travel. 我们春天去公园春游吧 (wǒ men chūn tiān qù gōng yuán chūn yóu ba) — let us go to the park for a spring outing. 假期你打算去哪儿 (jià qī nǐ dǎ suan qù nǎr) — where do you plan to go during the holiday?
Related practice pages
FAQ
Common questions
How do I ask which season someone likes in Chinese?
Ask 你最喜欢哪个季节 (nǐ zuì xǐ huan nǎ ge jì jié) — which season do you like best? To answer, say 我最喜欢... (wǒ zuì xǐ huan...) followed by the season: 春天 spring, 夏天 summer, 秋天 autumn, or 冬天 winter.
How do I describe the temperature in Mandarin?
Ask 今天多少度 (jīn tiān duō shao dù) — what is the temperature today? Answer with the number plus 度 (degree), for example 三十度 (thirty degrees) or 零下五度 (minus five degrees). For how it feels, use 暖和 (warm), 凉爽 (cool), 热 (hot), or 冷 (cold).
What should I say about seasonal clothing?
When the season changes use 换季 (change of seasons). To remind someone to dress warmly say 天气冷了，多穿点衣服 (it is getting cold, wear more clothes). To ask what to wear say 今天穿什么合适 (what is suitable to wear today?).
What are popular seasonal activities in China?
In spring people go on 春游 (spring outings) to parks, in summer they 避暑 (escape the heat) at the seaside or mountains, in autumn they 赏秋 (enjoy the autumn scenery), and in winter they 滑雪 (ski). 假期出游 (holiday travel) is especially common during the National Day Golden Week and Spring Festival.