夏令营
xiàlìngyíng
The English phrase "summer camp" is translated into Chinese as 夏令营 (xiàlìngyíng).
夏令营 refers to an institution devoted to housing and entertaining children. To say you are attending or participating in a summer camp, use the verb 参加 (cānjiā) before the phrase: 参加夏令营.
Meaning: institution devoted to housing and entertaining children (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 夏 (summer), 令 (command/order/season) and 营 (camp).
How do you pronounce it?
xiàlìngyíng
Did you know?
- The word 营 (yíng) refers to a military-style camp or an encampment, which explains why the Chinese term feels more structured than the English 'camp'.
- While 'summer camp' is a common concept in the West, in China, many 夏令营 are actually intensive academic or leadership programs rather than just recreational activities.
- The character 夏 (xià) is not only the word for 'summer' but was also the name of the first dynasty in traditional Chinese historiography.
Examples in context
- 我参加了这个夏令营。I participated in this summer camp.
- 这个夏令營有很多好玩的游戏。This summer camp has many fun games.
- 他报名参加了夏令营。Tā bàomíng cānjiā le xiàlìngyíng.He signed up for a summer camp.
- 这个夏令营非常受欢迎。Zhège xiàlìngyíng fēicháng shòu huānyíng.This summer camp is very popular.
- 我想带孩子去夏令营。Wǒ xiǎng dài háizi qù xiàlìngyíng.I want to take my child to summer camp.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their vacation plans.
- 浩然 Haoran佳怡，你暑假去哪里？Jiāyí, nǐ shǔjià qù nǎlǐ?Jiayi, where are you going for summer break?
- 佳怡 Jiayi我要去一个英语夏令营。Wǒ yào qù yīgè Yīngyǔ xiàlìngyíng.I am going to an English summer camp.
- 浩然 Haoran听起来很有趣！Tīng qǐlái hěn yǒuqù!That sounds very interesting!
- 佳怡 Jiayi是的，我也很期待。Shì de, wǒ yě hěn qīdài.Yes, I am looking forward to it too.
