数九寒天
shǔ jiǔ hán tiān
the depths of winter; the bitterest cold of the year
Character by character
数shǔ
count
count
九jiǔ
nine
nine
寒hán
cold
cold
天tiān
days
days
Example
数九寒天，环卫工人凌晨四点就上街扫雪了。
In the depths of winter, the street cleaners are out clearing snow at four in the morning.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
数 is shǔ, “to count”: the nine nine-day spans counted from the winter solstice. Sets the scene for bitter cold, much like 三九天.
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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