《月令七十二候集解》这样描写处暑，“处，止也，暑期至此而止矣。”清风解暑意，万物入清秋，处暑意味着脱离炎夏，迈入凉爽的秋天，今天我们就来学习一下“处暑”的英文表达。

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。处暑的到来意味着中国绝大部分地区正在脱离炎夏，因而可译为End 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。

1. 节气特征

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.

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。

But in some areas, especially in southern 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.

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。

The night-blooming cereus is a flower full of mystery, which often blooms during the period of End of Heat. This is because the climate during End of Heat, characterized by warm days and cold nights, is similar to tropical deserts. 

昙花是一种充满神秘气息的花，常在处暑时期绽放。这是因为处暑时的气候具有昼暖夜凉的特点，与热带沙漠气候相似。

2. 节气习俗

秋困

There is a saying that goes, "People tend to feel sleepy in spring, doze in summer and feel tired in autumn." As the weather becomes cool during End of Heat, many people feel languid and weary, which is called "autumn weariness". 

俗话说：“春困秋乏夏打盹。”处暑期间，随着天气转凉，一些人会感到精神不振，浑身乏力，这就是所说的“秋乏”。

doze：打盹儿，打瞌睡

赏云

When the End of Heat comes, summer heat has gone. Clouds scatter around in the sky, forming different shapes. There is a saying that goes, "Enjoying the clouds of various forms in July and August (lunar month)."

处暑来，暑气渐散。天空中散落的流云变化成各种形状。俗话说：“七八月，看巧云。”

吃鸭子

There are many recipes for cooking ducks such as roast duck, cooked duck with lemon, smoked duck with walnut sauce and sautéed duck with ginger shoots. The tradition of eating ducks during the End of Heat period is still popular in China.

鸭子有很多种制作方法，例如烤鸭、柠檬鸭、胡桃酱熏鸭和子姜鸭等。处暑吃鸭子的传统在中国依然十分流行。