Japan is famous for having four clearly defined seasons. But did you know that there are other Japanese expressions to represent the seasons besides the four seasons, "haru (spring)," "natsu (summer)," "aki (autumn)," and "fuyu (winter)"? This time, we'll introduce some Japanese expressions related to the seasons.
1.Spring
"Haru" means "spring." Spring in Japan occurs between March and May. In spring, the temperature gradually rises from the cold winter, making it comfortable to live in. In spring in Japan, cherry blossoms are in full bloom, allowing you to see beautiful scenery.
Example sentences
Spring is almost here.
Mōsugu haru desu ne.
It's spring soon.
2.Summer
"Natsu" means "summer." Summer in Japan is from June to August. In summer in Japan, temperatures exceed 30°C, and sometimes even exceed 35 °C. Summer in Japan is hot and humid, so the days are muggy.
Example sentences
It looks like it's going to be a hot summer this year.
Kotoshi wa atsui natsu ni nari-sō desu ne.
It's going to be a hot summer this year.
3.Autumn
"Aki" means "autumn." Autumn in Japan occurs between September and November. The temperature gradually drops from summer, and the weather becomes comfortable again. In autumn, you can see the beautiful scenery of autumn leaves.
Example sentences
Let's go see the autumn leaves in autumn.
Aki ni nattara momijigari ni ikimashou.
Let's go see the autumn leaves in the fall.
4.Winter(fuyu)
"Fuyu" means "winter." Winter in Japan is from December to February. It is a cold season with low temperatures. In some areas, snow piles up higher than a person's height.
Example sentences
Winters in Japan are cold.
Nihon no fuyu wa samui desu ne.
Winter in Japan is cold.
In Japan, there is a word for the seasons called "nijūshisekki." The "nijūshisekki" divides the year into spring, summer, autumn, and winter, and each of these is further divided into six seasons. Each of the 24 seasons has a name, and is sometimes included on Japanese calendars. In this article, we will introduce some of the more famous "nijūshisekki."
5.Risshun
"Risshun"is one of the 24 solar terms (nijūshisekki) that marks the beginning of spring around February 3rd. Although spring begins on "risshun," it is actually still cold in February in Japan. For this reason, people often use the phrase "koyomi no ue dewa" (according to the calendar) to explain that spring begins on "risshun."
Example sentences
When the beginning of spring arrives, it is spring according to the calendar.
Risshun ni naru to, koyomi no ue dewa haru desu.
When risshun (the first day of spring) arrives, it is spring according to the calendar.
6.Rikka
"Rikka" refers to the 24 solar terms (nijūshisekki) and means the beginning of summer, which falls around May 5th.
Example sentences
Once the start of summer has passed, it's time to prepare for summer.
Rikka wo sugitara, natsu ga kuru junbi wo shimashou.
After rikka (the first day of summer), get ready for summer.
7.Risshū
"Risshū" is one of the 24 solar terms (nijūshisekki) and refers to the beginning of autumn, which falls around August 7th.
Example sentences
After the beginning of autumn, I write greetings for the end of summer.
Risshū wo sugitara, zansho mimai wo kakimasu.
After risshū (the first day of autumn), I will write a post card for the late summer.
8.Rittō
"Rittō" is one of the 24 solar terms, and it marks the beginning of winter on November 7th.
Example sentences
As the start of winter approaches, signs of winter begin to appear.
Rittō ni naru to, fuyu no kehai ga chikazuite kimasu.
With rittō (the first day of winter), the signs of winter are approaching.
9.Vernal Equinox
The Vernal Equinox (shunbun) is one of the 24 solar terms (nijūshisekki) when the length of day and night becomes equal around March 21st. From this day onwards, the length of day becomes longer than the length of night. In Japan, there is a national holiday called "Vernal Equinox Day (shunbun no hi)."
Example sentences
Tomorrow is the Vernal Equinox, so we will be closed.
Ashita wa shunbun no hi de, o yasumi desu.
You are off tomorrow. Because it's Vernal Equinox Day.
10. Summer solstice (geshi)
The summer solstice (geshi) is one of the 24 solar terms (nijūshisekki) that occurs around June 21st, when the days are at their longest. From this day onwards, the days gradually become shorter.
Example sentences
After the summer solstice, the nights gradually get longer.
Geshi wo sugireba, sukoshizutsu yoru ga nagaku natte ikimasu.
After the summer solstice, the nights get longer by little.
11.Autumn equinox (shūbun)
The Autumnal Equinox (shūbun) is one of the 24 solar terms (nijūshisekki) that occurs around September 23rd, when the length of day and night are equal again. From this day onwards, the length of night gradually becomes longer than the length of day. In Japan, there is a national holiday called Autumnal Equinox Day (shūbun no hi).
Example sentences
On the autumnal equinox, we visit the graves of our ancestors.
Shūbun no hi ni wa, o haka-mairi ni ikimasu.
I go to visit the grave on Autumnal Equinox Day.
12.Wintersolstice (tōji)
The winter solstice (tōji) is one of the 24 solar terms (nijūshisekki) that occurs around December 22nd, when the nights are at their longest. From this day onwards, the days gradually become longer.
Example sentences
On the winter solstice, it is customary to take a yuzu bath.
Tōji ni wa, yuzu yu ni hairu fūshū ga arimasu.
In Japan, there is a custom to take a yuzu bath at the winter solstice.
In Japan, there are other words to represent the seasons besides the 24 solar terms (nijūshisekki), so we will introduce a few of them.
13.Early Spring
"Shoshun" is a seasonal word that refers to the beginning of spring, which is around January to March.
Example sentences
Butterbur is a taste of early spring.
Fukinotō wa shoshun no mikaku desu.
Fukinoto is the taste of early spring.
14.Late Summer (banka)
"Late summer (banka)" is a seasonal word meaning the end of summer, around August to September.
Example sentences
It's late summer and the heat has eased considerably, but how are you doing?
Banka no kō, natsu no atsusa mo daibu yawaragimashita ga, ikaga osugoshideshou ka.
The heat of summer has eased considerably. How have you been recently?
*This is a seasonal greeting used at the beginning of a letter.
15.Mid-autumn (chūshū)
"Chushu (chūshū)" is a seasonal word meaning "mid-autumn," which occurs around September to October. The moon that can be seen on August 15th of the lunar calendar is called the "Chushu no Meigetsu (chūshū-no-meigetsu)," and can currently be seen around mid-September.
Example sentences
The Mid-Autumn Moon is beautiful.
Chūshū-no-meigetsu ga kirei desu ne.
The harvest moon is beautiful.
16.Earlywinter (shotō)
"Shoto" is a seasonal word meaning the beginning of winter, around November to December.
Example sentences
It's cold today, reminiscent of early winter.
Kyō wa, shoto wo omowaseru samusa desu ne.
Today, it is a cold reminder of early winter.
There are many ways to express the start of spring, such as "risshun," "vernal equinox," and "shoshun." The temperature and weather change gradually, so it's hard to say "spring begins today." Enjoy these ambiguous and delicate Japanese expressions that have arisen as a result. Other words used to describe the seasons include "taikan" and "taisetsu," but do you know what they mean?
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