Meaning
纳凉 refers to the pleasant activity of seeking or enjoying coolness, typically outdoors during hot weather. It describes the traditional practice of spending time in shaded or breezy spots to escape indoor heat, such as sitting under trees, by water, or in parks during summer evenings.
Usage
This term carries cultural connotations of leisurely summer activities. Chinese people traditionally 纳凉 by sitting outside with family or neighbors in the evening, chatting and enjoying the cooler air. It's commonly used in contexts describing summer leisure and is more literary or formal than everyday colloquial speech.
Examples
- 01夏天的晚上，很多人喜欢在公园里纳凉。, .On summer evenings, many people like to cool off in the park.
- 02爷爷常常在大树下纳凉，跟邻居聊天。, .Grandpa often enjoys the cool under the big tree, chatting with neighbors.
Characters
Common collocations
- 到外面纳凉to go outside to cool off
- 树下纳凉to enjoy the cool under a tree
- 纳凉的地方a place to cool off
Antonyms
Origin
纳 means 'to receive' or 'to take in,' while 凉 means 'coolness.' Together, the compound literally means 'to receive coolness,' expressing the act of seeking out and enjoying cool air or shade.