☀️ How to Survive Summer in Beijing: Mandarin Vocab You Must Know
Summer (夏天 xiàtiān) in Beijing is no joke. It’s hot, it’s humid, and the sun doesn’t mess around. But with the right gear, the right mindset, and the right Mandarin, you can survive — and even enjoy — everything the season throws your way.
Whether you’re lounging by the pool, having a picnic at Chaoyang Park, or sipping rooftop cocktails as the sun sets over the skyline, here are the key Mandarin phrases and vocab you’ll need to stay cool, communicate clearly, and fully embrace summer in the capital.
Sun & Heat Protection
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🌂 Parasol
太阳伞 (tàiyáng sǎn) – parasol
🧴 Sunscreen
防晒霜 (fángshài shuāng) – sunscreen
🔢 SPF
防晒系数 (fángshài xìshù) – SPF (sun protection factor)
🪭 Fan
扇子 (shànzi) – hand fan
🔋 Electric Handheld Fan
手持电风扇 (shǒuchí diànfēngshàn) – handheld electric fan
❄️ Air-conditioning
空调 (kōngtiáo) – air conditioning
Summer Clothing & Gear
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😎 Sunglasses
黑镜 (hēijìng) – sunglasses
👡 Sandals
凉鞋 (liángxié) – sandals
🩴 Flip-flops
人字拖鞋 (rén zì tuōxié) – flip-flops
👒 Sun Hat
太阳帽子 (tàiyáng màozi) – sun hat
👙 Bathing Suit
游泳衣 (yóuyǒngyī) – bathing suit
👙 Bikini
比基尼 (bǐjīní) – bikini
🩳 Swimming Trunks
游泳裤 (yóuyǒngkù) – swimming trunks
Outdoor Essentials
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💧 Cold Water
冰水 (bīngshuǐ) – cold water
🧊 Ice Cubes
冰块 (bīngkuài) – ice cubes
🧊 Ice Pack
冰袋 (bīngdài) – ice pack
🦟 Mosquito Repellent
驱蚊液 (qūwényè) – mosquito repellent
🧺 Cooler Bag / Insulated Picnic Bag
保温野餐包 (bǎowēn yěcān bāo) – cooler bag
Outdoor Fun
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🏊 Swimming
游泳 (yóuyǒng) – swimming
🏊♂️ Swimming Pool
游泳池 (yóuyǒngchí) – swimming pool
🧺 Picnic
野餐 (yěcān) – picnic
🏄 Paddleboard
桨板 (jiǎngbǎn) – paddleboard
🛶 Canoe
划艇 (huátǐng) – canoe
Summer Drinks and Food
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🍦 Ice Cream
冰激凌 (bīngjílíng) – ice cream
🍧 Popsicle
冰棍 (bīnggùn) – popsicle
🍺 Cold Beer
冰的啤酒 (bīng de píjiǔ) – cold beer
🧋 Iced Tea
冰茶 (bīngchá) – iced tea
🍢 BBQ
烧烤 (shāokǎo) – BBQ
🍉 Watermelon
西瓜 (xīguā) – watermelon
Must-Know Summer Phrases
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💬 Must-Know Mandarin Phrases for Summer in Beijing (实用句子 shíyòng jùzi)
Whether you’re sweating through the subway or ordering a cold drink at a café, these phrases will help you beat the heat—and sound like a pro while doing it.
🥵 It’s so hot
太热了 (Tài rè le)
It’s so hot!
🍺 One cold beer, please!
来一杯冰啤酒！(Lái yì bēi bīng píjiǔ!)
One cold beer, please!
💧 Do you have any cold water?
有没有冰水？(Yǒu méiyǒu bīngshuǐ?)
Do you have any cold water?
🧊 Could I get some ice cubes with my drink?
我的饮料能加点冰块吗？(Wǒ de yǐnliào néng jiādiǎn bīngkuài ma?)
Can I get some ice in my drink?
❄️ Can you turn the AC on/off/up/down?
你介不介意把空调开／关／开得大一点／开得小一点？
(Nǐ jiè bù jiè yì bǎ kōngtiáo kāi / guān / kāi de dà yì diǎn / kāi de xiǎo yì diǎn?)
Do you mind turning the air-conditioning on/off/up/down?
🧊 The AC is too cold
空调太冷了 (Kōngtiáo tài lěng le)
The air conditioning is too cold.
🪑 Does this restaurant have any outdoor seating?
这个餐厅有没有室外座位？(Zhège cāntīng yǒu méiyǒu shìwài zuòwèi?)
Does this restaurant have outdoor seating?
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