“离离暑云散，袅袅凉风起。”处暑是中国传统二十四节气（the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms）中的第十四个节气。“处”有“终止”之意，民间流传着这样一句谚语：“暑气尽，秋收始。” 处暑的到来意味着中国绝大部分地区正在脱离炎夏，迈入凉爽秋天，因而可译为End of Heat/The limit of heat。中国幅员辽阔，受纬度和海拔等因素影响，全国各地入秋的时间会有差异。
在中国，长城以北的地区将会在九月初进入秋季。人们可以欣赏自夏入秋逐渐变化的景色。但是在某些地区，特别是中国南方，秋天迟迟未至，人们依旧被酷热的天气困扰。处暑对农民而言也是忙碌的丰收季。
In China, regions beyond the Great Wall will enter autumn in early September. People can enjoy the gradual change of scenery from summer to autumn.But in some areas, especially in South China, autumn is late in coming and people are still bothered by hot weather. End of Heat is also the busy harvest season for farmers.
处暑小习俗
Here are some popular customs during “End of Heat”:
看云
Enjoying clouds
暑去凉至，天空的云千变万化，谚语曰：“（农历）七月八月看巧云。”When the End of Heat comes, summer heat is gone. Clouds in the sky scatter around forming different shapes. There is a saying that goes, "Enjoying the clouds of various forms in July and August (lunar month)."
赏秋
Enjoying fall colors in early September
长城以北，处暑之后，秋意渐浓，正是人们畅游郊野迎秋赏景的好时节。
In China, regions beyond the Great Wall will enter autumn in early September. People can enjoy the scenery as it changes gradually from summer to autumn.
开渔节
The Fishing Season Festival
对于渔民来说，暑去秋来是个收获的季节。浙江沿海举行开渔节，欢送渔民开船出海。人们会在休渔结束的那天举行盛大的仪式，捕捞季又开始了。由于此时海水温度依然偏高，鱼群会停留在渔场周围，慢慢发育成熟。此时人们可以捕获到种类繁多的海鲜。
For fishermen, the End of Heat is a season of harvest. During this period, the Fishing Season Festival is held in regions along the coastline of the East China Sea in Zhejiang province. The festival is held on the day when the fishing ban ends and fishermen can start fishing again. Due to high temperatures in the sea, stocks of fish remain and become mature. People can enjoy many kinds of seafood during this period.
生词拓展
【bothered】
adj.烦（恼）的；感到讨厌的
英英释义：
caused to show discomposure
例句：
Hardly anyone has bothered to reply.
几乎没人动嘴回答。
【scatter】
v.撒，播撒；
n.零星散布的东西
英英释义：
a haphazard distribution in all directions
例句：
When the tree falls，the monkeys scatter.
“树倒猴狲散。”
【various】
adj.各种各样的；迥异的，千差万别的
det.不止一个的，各别的
pron.不止一个的，各别的
英英释义：
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
例句：
He directed various TV shows.
他导演过各种电视节目。
【scenery】
n.风景，景色；舞台布景
英英释义：
the painted structures of a stage set that are intended to suggest a particular locale
例句：
The scenery is magnificent.
景色壮丽。
【province】
n.（知识、兴趣、责任的）范围，领域；省
英英释义：
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
例句：
Guerrilla groups are active in the province.
游击队组织在该省活动。
【remain】
v.逗留，留下；剩余，遗留；保持不变，一直是；仍需去做（或处理）
n.剩余（物），遗迹；遗体，残骸
英英释义：
stay the same; remain in a certain state
例句：
Japanese banks remain bearish.
日本银行继续看跌。
【mature】
adj.成熟的，理智的；成年的，发育完全的；
v.（使）成熟，（使）长成；变理智，（举止）变成熟；酿成，制成；到期
英英释义：
develop and reach maturity; undergo maturation
例句：
Jane is very mature for her age.
简年龄不大，却很成熟。
