‘过冬’ literally means ‘to pass winter’ and functions as a verb meaning ‘to spend the winter.’ The character 过 (guò) conveys the idea of passing through or enduring a period of time, while 冬 (dōng) means ‘winter.’ Together, they describe the act of surviving or staying through the cold season — especially relevant for animals, plants, or people in cold climates. It often implies preparation, adaptation, or temporary residence to withstand harsh winter conditions.

This term is commonly used in ecological, agricultural, and everyday contexts — for example, describing how migratory birds fly south to overwinter, or how farmers store grain to get through winter. While it can apply to humans (e.g., retirees spending winter in warmer regions), its most frequent usage relates to animal behavior and natural cycles. It’s not typically used for short winter trips but rather for extended seasonal residence or biological survival strategies.