严寒 yánhán bitter cold
bitter cold; severe winter
How to remember 严寒: 严 strict + 寒 freezing = bitter cold.
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How it is used
- Bitter, severe cold - 严寒的冬天 (yánhán de dōngtiān) a bitterly cold winter; 抵御严寒 (dǐyù yánhán) to fend off the severe cold.
- Written/literary, stronger than everyday 冷 (lěng) or 寒冷 (hánlěng); evokes harsh winter conditions.
- Often paired as a noun ('the bitter cold') and set against 酷暑 (kùshǔ, scorching heat).