寒来暑往
hán lái shǔ wǎng
as the seasons pass; year in, year out
Character by character
寒hán
cold
cold
来lái
comes
comes
暑shǔ
heat
heat
往wǎng
goes
goes
Example
寒来暑往，她在这所山村小学教了三十年书。
Year in, year out, she taught at this mountain-village school for thirty years.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
From the 千字文, where it is followed by 秋收冬藏. Sets the scene for “over many years”.
Learn this in Lesson 215 · HSK 9+: 二十四节气 (The 24 solar terms)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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