结冰

• Pinyin: jié bīng
• Hanzi breakdown: 结 = 纟(silk) + 吉 — to tie, form; 冰 = ice

Meaning

To freeze over; to ice up. The process of water turning into ice.

Describes the natural process of water freezing on surfaces like roads, lakes, or pipes. Important in weather forecasts and safety warnings. Can be used literally or metaphorically to describe a relationship becoming cold.

Examples

1. 今晚气温骤降，路面可能会结冰，开车要小心。 The temperature will drop sharply tonight and the roads may ice over, so drive carefully.
2. 湖面结冰后，孩子们喜欢在上面滑冰。 After the lake freezes over, children like to skate on it.
3. 北方冬天水管经常结冰，需要做好防冻措施。 Water pipes often freeze in northern winters, so anti-freeze measures are needed.

Usage Guide

Context: weather, daily life, safety

Tone: informative

Do Say

• 道路结冰了，慢点开。(The road is icy, drive slowly.)
• 河面开始结冰了。(The river has started to freeze over.)

Don't Say

• 用'结冰'形容食物冷冻 (Don't use 结冰 for freezing food in a freezer — use 冷冻; 结冰 is for natural ice formation)

Origin & History

Composed of 结 (to form; to congeal) + 冰 (ice). Describes the formation of ice.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal