供暖

• Pinyin: gōng nuǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 供 = 亻+ 共 (supply); 暖 = 日 (sun) + 爰 (soft, warm) — sun-given warmth

Meaning

To supply heating; central heating provision. The organised distribution of heat to buildings, typically through a district or building-wide system.

In northern China, municipal district heating (集中供暖) begins each year on a fixed date set by local government — typically mid-November. This date is a significant seasonal and social marker. Urban residents in heated zones rely on this system for warmth throughout winter.

Examples

1. 北方城市今年的集中供暖时间比往年提前了一周，居民纷纷表示欢迎。 This year, the city's district heating in the north started a week earlier than usual, and residents welcomed the change.
2. 供暖季结束后，物业公司立即对供热管道进行全面检修，确保来年正常运行。 After the heating season ended, the property management company immediately carried out a comprehensive inspection and overhaul of the heating pipelines to ensure normal operation next year.
3. 老旧小区的供暖设施年久失修，冬天室内温度难以达标，居民意见很大。 In older neighborhoods, aging heating systems have fallen into disrepair; indoor temperatures often fail to meet standards in winter, and residents are very dissatisfied.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, utilities, housing, government

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 今年供暖季从十一月十五日正式开始。(The heating season officially begins on 15 November this year.)
• 这栋楼刚完成供暖改造，冬天再也不用担心暖气不够热了。(This building just completed its heating system renovation — no more worries about insufficient warmth in winter.)

Don't Say

• 用'供暖'描述单户家庭自装的暖气设备 — 供暖 refers to centralised/district heating; for individual home heaters use 取暖设备 or 暖气片 instead

Origin & History

供 (gōng, to supply/provide) + 暖 (warm; warmth). Literally: to supply warmth.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Urban residents in northern China