====== xià xuě: 下雪 - To Snow ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  *   **Keywords:** 下雪, xia xue, to snow in Chinese, snow in Chinese, Chinese weather terms, 下雪 meaning, how to say it's snowing in Chinese, xià xuě grammar, Chinese for beginners
  *   **Summary:** Learn how to say "it's snowing" in Mandarin Chinese with our complete guide to **下雪 (xià xuě)**. This page covers the literal meaning, cultural significance, and practical usage of this essential HSK 1 Chinese weather term. Discover how to talk about snow in China, from simple weather forecasts to poetic descriptions, with over 10 practical example sentences and grammar analysis designed for beginners.
===== Core Meaning =====
  *   **Pinyin (with tone marks):** xià xuě
  *   **Part of Speech:** Verb-Object phrase (functions as an intransitive verb in English)
  *   **HSK Level:** HSK 1
  *   **Concise Definition:** For snow to fall; to snow.
  *   **In a Nutshell:** **下雪 (xià xuě)** is the most common and direct way to say "it's snowing" in Chinese. It's a verb-object phrase, literally meaning "to fall snow" or "down snow." This structure is very common for weather phenomena in Chinese, like `下雨 (xià yǔ)` - "to rain." When you hear or say **下雪**, you are simply stating the fact that snow is falling from the sky.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  *   **下 (xià):** This character means "down," "below," or "to descend/fall." You can picture it as a line with a shorter line below it, representing something that is underneath or moving downwards.
  *   **雪 (xuě):** This character means "snow." The top part, `雨 (yǔ)`, is the radical for "rain," indicating that snow is a form of precipitation. The bottom part gives the character its sound.
  *   Together, **下雪 (xià xuě)** logically combines these two characters to mean "snow falls," a straightforward and descriptive term for the act of snowing.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
In Chinese culture, snow (**雪 (xuě)**) holds a rich, dualistic meaning that goes beyond just a weather event.
On one hand, snow is a powerful symbol of **purity, beauty, and tranquility**. The blanket of white is seen as cleansing the land. This aesthetic is deeply woven into classical poetry and art, often paired with the image of plum blossoms (**梅花 méihuā**), which bloom in the cold and symbolize resilience and perseverance in the face of hardship.
On the other hand, there is a very practical and auspicious view of snow, encapsulated in the famous proverb: **瑞雪兆丰年 (ruì xuě zhào fēng nián)** - "A timely snow promises a good harvest." The snow blanket protects winter crops like wheat from the harsh cold and provides essential moisture for the spring planting season.
This agricultural connection contrasts with the common Western view of snow, which is often linked to holidays like Christmas, "snow days" off from school, or purely recreational activities. While Chinese people certainly enjoy playing in the snow, the deep-rooted cultural association with a prosperous future is a unique and important aspect of **下雪**.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
In daily conversation, **下雪** is used matter-of-factly to describe the weather. It's a neutral term, and its connotation depends entirely on the context.
  *   **Weather Forecasts:** You will constantly hear **下雪** in winter weather reports. Meteorologists will specify the intensity, e.g., `下小雪 (xià xiǎo xuě)` for light snow or `下大雪 (xià dà xuě)` for heavy snow.
  *   **Daily Conversation:** People use it to make small talk or state an observation. For example, looking out the window and saying `啊，下雪了！(Ā, xià xuě le!)` - "Oh, it's snowing!"
  *   **Social Media:** During the first snowfall of the year, especially in big cities like Beijing, social media platforms like WeChat and Weibo are flooded with pictures and videos of the snow. Posts are often filled with excitement and appreciation for the beauty of the scene.
The term itself is neither formal nor informal and is appropriate in virtually any situation where you'd talk about snow.
===== Example Sentences =====
  *   **Example 1:**
    *   外面在**下雪**。
    *   Pinyin: Wàimiàn zài **xià xuě**.
    *   English: It's snowing outside.
    *   Analysis: `在 (zài)` is used here to indicate the continuous action, similar to the "-ing" form in English. This is a very common way to say "it is snowing right now."
  *   **Example 2:**
    *   天气预报说明天会**下雪**。
    *   Pinyin: Tiānqì yùbào shuō míngtiān huì **xià xuě**.
    *   English: The weather forecast says it will snow tomorrow.
    *   Analysis: `会 (huì)` indicates a future possibility or likelihood. This is the standard structure for talking about future weather.
  *   **Example 3:**
    *   昨天北京**下雪**了。
    *   Pinyin: Zuótiān Běijīng **xià xuě** le.
    *   English: It snowed in Beijing yesterday.
    *   Analysis: The particle `了 (le)` indicates a completed action. Notice the subject is a place, `北京 (Běijīng)`.
  *   **Example 4:**
    *   今天雪下得很大。
    *   Pinyin: Jīntiān xuě xià de hěn dà.
    *   English: The snow is coming down really hard today. / It's snowing heavily today.
    *   Analysis: This sentence uses the `得 (de)` structure to describe *how* the action (下) is performed. It emphasizes the intensity (`很大` - very big). This is an alternative to saying `下大雪 (xià dà xuě)`.
  *   **Example 5:**
    *   **下雪**天开车要特别小心。
    *   Pinyin: **Xià xuě** tiān kāichē yào tèbié xiǎoxīn.
    *   English: You need to be especially careful when driving on snowy days.
    *   Analysis: Here, `下雪天 (xià xuě tiān)` functions as a noun phrase meaning "a snowing day" or "a snowy day."
  *   **Example 6:**
    *   你喜欢**下雪**吗？
    *   Pinyin: Nǐ xǐhuān **xià xuě** ma?
    *   English: Do you like it when it snows?
    *   Analysis: A simple question using the question particle `吗 (ma)`. **下雪** is treated as the object of the verb `喜欢 (xǐhuān)`.
  *   **Example 7:**
    *   这是我第一次看到**下雪**！
    *   Pinyin: Zhè shì wǒ dì yī cì kàndào **xià xuě**!
    *   English: This is the first time I've ever seen it snow!
    *   Analysis: A great sentence for expressing excitement. `第一次 (dì yī cì)` means "the first time."
  *   **Example 8:**
    *   如果明天**下雪**，我们就可以堆雪人。
    *   Pinyin: Rúguǒ míngtiān **xià xuě**, wǒmen jiù kěyǐ duī xuěrén.
    *   English: If it snows tomorrow, we can build a snowman.
    *   Analysis: This `如果...就... (rúguǒ...jiù...)` structure is a standard way to express "if...then..." conditionals.
  *   **Example 9:**
    *   北方的冬天经常**下雪**。
    *   Pinyin: Běifāng de dōngtiān jīngcháng **xià xuě**.
    *   English: It often snows in the north during winter.
    *   Analysis: `北方 (běifāng)` means "the northern part" (of a country) and `经常 (jīngcháng)` is an adverb for "often."
  *   **Example 10:**
    *   虽然外面在**下雪**，但是屋里很暖和。
    *   Pinyin: Suīrán wàimiàn zài **xià xuě**, dànshì wū lǐ hěn nuǎnhuo.
    *   English: Although it's snowing outside, it's very warm inside the house.
    *   Analysis: `虽然...但是... (suīrán...dànshì...)` is a common pattern for "although...but...".
  *   **Example 11:**
    *   俗话说，“瑞雪兆丰年”。
    *   Pinyin: Súhuà shuō, "Ruì xuě zhào fēng nián".
    *   English: As the saying goes, "A timely snow promises a good harvest."
    *   Analysis: This sentence introduces the famous proverb, demonstrating a deeper cultural understanding of snow. `俗话 (súhuà)` means "common saying" or "proverb."
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  *   **It's a Verb-Object, Not Just a Verb:** The most common mistake for English speakers is to treat **下雪** like the English verb "to snow" and add a direct object.
    *   **Incorrect:** `~~我下雪~~ (Wǒ xià xuě.)` - This literally means "I am falling snow."
    *   **Correct:** The "subject" of **下雪** is a place or an implied "it." For example: `北京下雪了 (Běijīng xià xuě le)` - "Beijing snowed," or simply `下雪了 (Xià xuě le)` - "It snowed."
  *   **Using `是 (shì)` vs. `在 (zài)`:** Do not directly translate "It **is** snowing" using `是 (shì)`.
    *   **Incorrect:** `~~外面是下雪~~ (Wàimiàn shì xià xuě.)`
    *   **Correct:** To express the ongoing action, use `在 (zài)`. `外面在下雪 (Wàimiàn zài xià xuě.)`
  *   **Describing Heavy Snow:** There are two correct ways to say "it's snowing heavily," and beginners often mix them up.
    *   **Method 1 (Adjective + Noun):** `下大雪 (xià dà xuě)` - Literally "to fall big snow." `大` modifies `雪`.
    *   **Method 2 (Verb + de + Adverb):** `雪下得很大 (xuě xià de hěn dà)` - Literally "the snow is falling in a very big way." This structure describes the manner of the verb.
    *   Both are correct, but they represent different grammatical patterns. Avoid mixing them.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  *   [[下雨]] (xià yǔ) - To rain. The exact same grammatical structure as **下雪**, making it a perfect comparison.
  *   [[雪花]] (xuě huā) - Snowflake. Literally "snow flower," a beautiful and poetic term.
  *   [[雪人]] (xuě rén) - Snowman. Literally "snow person."
  *   [[滑雪]] (huá xuě) - To ski. Literally "to slide on snow."
  *   [[暴风雪]] (bào fēng xuě) - Blizzard or snowstorm. A much more intense and severe term.
  *   [[冰雹]] (bīng báo) - Hail; to hail. Another type of frozen precipitation.
  *   [[天气]] (tiān qì) - Weather. The general category this term belongs to.
  *   [[冬天]] (dōng tiān) - Winter. The season when it typically snows.
  *   [[瑞雪]] (ruì xuě) - Auspicious snow; timely snow. The `雪` from the famous proverb, carrying a very positive meaning.
  *   [[冰]] (bīng) - Ice. A related winter phenomenon.