寒暄

寒暄

1. (literary) cold and warm
2. (literary, figurative) cold and warm seasons; years

寒暄

1. (literary) to enquire about another person's well-being (i.e. to inquire if they are feeling cold or warm)

   • 主賓長揖，寒暄而外，不敢多設一語。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]
     主宾长揖，寒暄而外，不敢多设一语。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]

     From: c. late 16^th century, Tu Long,《冥寥子游》(The Travels of Mingliaozi), rendered into English by Lin Yutang

     Zhǔ bīn chángyī, hánxuān érwài, bùgǎn duō shè yī yǔ. [Pinyin]

     A host and his visitor make a low bow to each other, yet besides a few casual remarks about the weather, dare not make another comment.

2. (now often) to exchange pleasantries; to make small talk; to exchange greetings
   • 2007, “好久不見 [hǎojiǔbùjiàn]”, 施立 (lyrics), performed by 陳奕迅:

     你會不會忽然地出現　在街角的咖啡店　我會帶著笑臉　揮手寒暄　和你坐著聊聊天 [MSC, trad.]
     你会不会忽然地出现　在街角的咖啡店　我会带着笑脸　挥手寒暄　和你坐着聊聊天 [MSC, simp.]

     nǐ huìbùhuì hūrán de chūxiàn, zài jiējiǎo de kāfēidiàn, wǒ huì dài zhe xiàoliǎn, huīshǒu hánxuān, hé nǐ zuò zhe liáoliáotiān [Pinyin]

     Will you suddenly show up,
     At the café around the street corner?
     I would smile and wave to you,
     Greet you, and have a chat with you.

• 噓寒問暖／嘘寒问暖 (xūhánwènnuǎn)
• 問寒問暖／问寒问暖 (wènhánwènnuǎn)
• 寒溫／寒温 (hánwēn) (literary)

• 應酬／应酬 (yìngchou)