冬天
dōngtiān
Winter
冬天 (dōngtiān) is the common word for winter in Mandarin Chinese. It is one of the four seasons, along with 春天 (spring), 夏天 (summer), and 秋天 (autumn).
What does 冬天 (dōngtiān) mean?
冬天 (dōngtiān) means “winter” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “winter season.”
When to use it
Neutral and suitable for everyday conversation. For more formal contexts, such as official notices or names, 冬季 (dōngjì) is used, as in 冬季奥运会 (the Winter Olympics).
How to pronounce it
Sounds like “DONG-tyen.” Both syllables are high and flat (first tone).
Other ways to say it
- 冬季dōngjìwinter (formal, often in names or notices)
- 冬天来了dōngtiān lái lewinter is here
- 寒冬hándōngsevere winter
Examples
冬天很冷，记得多穿衣服。
dōngtiān hěn lěng, jìde duō chuān yīfu.
Winter is very cold, remember to wear more clothes.
我最喜欢冬天，因为可以滑雪。
wǒ zuì xǐhuan dōngtiān, yīnwèi kěyǐ huáxuě.
I like winter the most because I can ski.
北京的冬天常常下雪。
Běijīng de dōngtiān chángcháng xiàxuě.
It often snows in Beijing during winter.
Pro tip: While both 冬天 and 冬季 mean 'winter,' 冬天 is used for general conversation, whereas 冬季 is more formal and often appears in fixed phrases or official contexts.
Related phrases
雪 · Snow今天很冷 · It's cold today冬至 · Winter solstice
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