“穀雨”是中國傳統二十四節氣中的第六個節氣，也是春季的最後一個節氣。此時降雨量明顯增加，正好滿足了穀物類農作物生長的需要，所以“穀雨”節氣的英文翻譯為Grain Rain。
Grain Rain originates from the old saying， “Rain brings up the growth of hundreds of grains，” which shows that this period of rainfall is extremely important for the growth of crops。 The Grain Rain signals the end of cold weather and a rapid rise in temperature。
“穀雨”這個節氣的名稱來源於俗語“雨生百穀”，由此可以看出，在這段時間內雨水對於莊稼的生長是何等重要。穀雨的到來代表著寒冷天氣的終結和溫度的攀升。
下面隨雙語君（微信ID：Chinadaily_Mobile）一同來了解更多與穀雨有關的節氣小知識吧。
農耕關鍵期
民間有“穀雨時節種穀天”的說法。春雨貴如油，莊稼喝飽了水，便開始舒展身子長個兒了。
Grain Rain brings a marked increase in temperature and rainfall and the grains grow faster and stronger。 It‘s a key time to protect the crops from insect pests。
穀雨帶來了溫度和降水量的明顯增長，穀物成長地愈發快速和結實。這段時間是防蟲蛀谷的關鍵期。
沙塵暴興
受北方冷空氣影響，再加上土質疏鬆乾燥，穀雨期間時常會出現強沙塵暴等大風災害天氣。
Grain Rain falls between the end of spring and the beginning of summer， with infrequent cold air moving to the south and lingering cold air in the north。 From the end of April to the beginning of May， the temperature rises much higher than it does in March。 With dry soil， an unsteady atmosphere and heavy winds， gales and sandstorms become more frequent。
穀雨降臨在春末和夏初之間，伴隨著少量冷空氣南下，北方的冷空氣依舊停滯不走。四月底到五月初，溫度上升地比三月要快得多。受土壤乾燥、大氣不穩定和強風影響，狂風和沙塵暴變得更加頻繁。
lingering：拖延的；遲遲不去的
喝雨前茶
“春山谷雨前，並手摘芳煙。”穀雨前採摘的茶味道醇厚，香氣濃烈。約三五知己或一人獨處於靜室，沏一壺清茶，細品春日融融，這便是中國人獨享的意趣。
There is an old custom in southern China that people drink tea on the day of Grain Rain。 Spring tea during Grain Rain is rich in vitamins and amino acids， which can help to remove heat from the body and is good for the eyes。 It is also said that drinking tea on this day would prevent bad luck。
中國南方有個習俗：人們要在穀雨當天飲茶。穀雨期間的春茶富含維他命和氨基酸，對身體散熱和明目都有幫助。還有一種說法：穀雨喝茶可抵擋厄運。
吃香椿
吃香椿又叫“吃春”，穀雨時期的香椿鮮嫩清爽，營養豐富，涼拌、炒蛋或炸成“椒鹽香椿魚”都十分美味。
People in northern China have the tradition to eat the vegetable toona sinensis during Grain Rain。 An old Chinese saying goes “toona sinensis before the rain is as tender as silk”。 The vegetable is nutritious and can help to strengthen the immune system。 It is also good for the stomach and skin。
中國北方人有穀雨吃香椿的傳統。俗話說：“雨前椿芽嫩如絲”，這種蔬菜營養豐富，有助於增強免疫系統，還有利於健胃護膚。
祭海
部分沿海地區的漁民會在穀雨舉辦祭海活動，漁民們向海神獻上祭品，以求出海平安和收穫滿滿。
Grain Rain marks the start of the fishermen’s first voyage of the year。 The custom dates back more than 2，000 years ago， when people believed they owed a good harvest to the gods， who protected them from the stormy seas。 People would worship the sea and stage sacrifice rites on the Grain Rain festival， praying for abountiful harvest and a safe voyage for their loved ones。
穀雨標誌著漁民們在這一年裡的首次出海。該習俗可追溯到兩千多年前，當時人們認為是神靈保佑他們免受風暴襲擊，獲得豐收。在穀雨慶典儀式上，人們會祭海並舉行相關儀式，祈求豐收，也祈求所愛之人出海平安。
bountiful：豐富的，充裕的