Have you ever wondered what you would do if you got lost in the wilderness? Don’t panic—nature has its own set of "natural compasses" to help you find your way. From the sun and the North Star to trees and melting snow, the natural world provides subtle clues that can guide you in the right direction.
This short reading introduces simple yet effective ways to use nature for navigation. Not only will these skills enhance your outdoor survival knowledge, but they will also deepen your appreciation for the hidden wisdom of the natural world. After reading, see if you can answer this question: On which side does snow melt faster—north or south? And why?
要是你在野外迷了路
要是你在野外迷了路，可千万别慌张，
大自然有很多天然的指南针，会帮助你辨别方向。
太阳是个忠实的向导，它在天空给你指点方向：
中午的时候它在南边， 地上的树影正指着北方。
北极星是盏指路灯，它永远高挂在北方。
要是你认出它，就不会在黑夜里乱闯。
要是碰上阴雨天，大树也会来帮忙。
枝叶稠的一面是南方，枝叶稀的一面是北方。
雪特别怕太阳，沟渠里的积雪会给你指点方向。
看看哪边的雪化得快，哪边化得慢，就可以分辨北方和南方。
要是你在野外迷了路，可千万别慌张，
大自然有很多天然的指南针，需要你细细观察，多多去想。
问题：
雪化得快的那边是南面还是北面？这是为什么呢？
Download the PDF file HERE.
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要是 (yào shì) – if, in case
野外 (yě wài) – wilderness, outdoors
迷路 (mí lù) – to get lost
千万 (qiān wàn) – absolutely, by all means (used for emphasis)
慌张 (huāng zhāng) – to be flustered, panicked
大自然 (dà zì rán) – nature
天然的 (tiān rán de) – natural
指南针 (zhǐ nán zhēn) – a compass
辨别 (biàn bié) – to distinguish, to differentiate
方向 (fāng xiàng) – a direction
忠实的 (zhōng shí de) – loyal, faithful
向导 (xiàng dǎo) – a guide
天空 (tiān kōng) – the sky
给你 (gěi nǐ) – for you, provide you
指点 (zhǐ diǎn) – to point out, to guide
树影 (shù yǐng) – a tree shadow
指着 (zhǐ zhe) – pointing at
北极星 (běi jí xīng) – the North Star
盏指路灯 (zhǎn zhǐ lù dēng) – a guiding lamp/light
永远 (yǒng yuǎn) – forever, always
高挂 (gāo guà) – to hang high
认出 (rèn chū) – to recognize
黑夜 (hēi yè) – a dark night
乱闯 (luàn chuǎng) – to rush around recklessly
碰上 (pèng shàng) – to encounter, to run into
阴雨天 (yīn yǔ tiān) – overcast and rainy day
大树 (dà shù) – big tree(s)
枝叶 (zhī yè) – branches and leaves
稠 (chóu) – dense, lush (referring to foliage)
稀 (xī) – sparse, thin (referring to foliage)
Let’s take a closer look.
The translation shows the characters followed by English, arranged by meaning.
要是(if)碰上(encounter)阴雨天(overcast and rainy weather)，大树(large trees)也会(will also)来帮忙(come to help)。
枝叶(branches and leaves)稠的一面(the dense side)是南方(is the southern direction)，枝叶(branches and leaves)稀的一面(the sparse side)是北方(is the northern direction)。
雪特别怕太阳 (xuě tè bié pà tài yáng) – literal: “Snow is especially afraid of the sun.” In this context, 怕 (pà) does not mean "fear" but rather "being affected by" or "easily damaged by" something. The phrase means "snow melts easily when exposed to sunlight." This usage is similar to 纸怕火 (zhǐ pà huǒ) – "Paper burns easily in fire."
沟渠 (gōu qú) – ditch, trench
积雪 (jī xuě) – accumulated snow
化得快 (huà de kuài) – melts quickly (融化 (róng huà) – to melt)
分辨 (fēn biàn) – to distinguish, to differentiate
Let’s take a closer look.
The translation shows the characters followed by English, arranged by meaning.
"雪 (snow) 特别 (especially) 怕 (is affected by) 太阳 (the sun)，沟渠里 (in the ditches) 的 积雪 (accumulated snow) 会 给你 (will for you) 指点 (indicate) 方向 (the direction)."
"看看 (take a look at) 哪边 (which side) 的 雪 (snow) 化得快 (melts faster)，哪边 (which side) 化得慢 (melts slower)，就 (then) 可以 (can) 分辨 (distinguish) 北方 (north) 和 (and) 南方 (south)."
细细 (xì xì) – carefully, attentively
观察 (guān chá) – to observe
多多去想 (duō duō qù xiǎng) – to think more, to reflect deeply
Character Radical
The 日 (rì) radical, meaning sun, daylight, or time, appears in many Chinese characters related to nature, brightness, direction, and time. In this reading, the sun plays a key role as a natural compass, helping us determine direction based on shadows and melting snow.
The 日 radical is strongly connected to light, time, and natural navigation, all of which are essential for finding one’s way in the wild. Next time you're outdoors, observe the sun’s position and shadows—you might just find your own natural compass!
Examples from the Reading
时 (shí) – time, 时间 （一天中的时间对利用太阳辨别方向至关重要。）
星 (xīng) – star, 星星 （北极星在夜空中始终固定不变，是导航的重要参考点。）
阳 (yáng) – sun, sunlight, 太阳，阳光 （积雪在阳光充足的一侧融化得更快，这可以帮助我们区分南北方向。）
Other Common Characters with the 日 Radical:
晴 (qíng) – sunny, clear sky, 晴天 （天气晴朗时，更容易观察自然中的方向指引。）
早 (zǎo) – early, morning, 早晨 （太阳从东方升起，可以用来判断方向。）
Yin-yang Character Groups
Yin-yang character groups illustrate the balance and complementary nature of concepts in the Chinese language. Here are three pairs:
南北 (nán běi) – South - North (The reading discusses how to determine north and south using natural guides like the sun, tree shadows, and snow.)
反正 (fǎn zhèng) – Contrary - Right, Correct. Either way, no matter.
高低 (gāo dī) – High - Low (The height of the sun in the sky and the length of shadows help determine time and direction in the reading.)
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