Translation guide
In Japanese, 'last winter' is typically expressed as 去年の冬 (kyonen no fuyu), meaning 'the winter of last year'. Unlike English, Japanese does not have a single word for 'last winter'; instead, it combines 'last year' with 'winter'. The phrase can also be expressed using 昨冬 (sakutō), a more formal or written term. When referring to the most recent winter that has passed, even if it's the same year, この冬 (kono fuyu) or 去年の冬 may be used depending on context.
Referring to the winter season that occurred in the year before the current one.
The most common and natural way to say 'last winter'. It literally means 'winter of last year'.
去年の冬はとても寒かった。
Last winter was very cold.
去年の冬にスキーに行きました。
I went skiing last winter.
Referring to the winter that just ended, which may be in the same year if it's early in the year.
Literally 'this winter', but used to refer to the winter that just passed if it's now spring or later. Context-dependent.
この冬はあまり雪が降らなかった。
We didn't get much snow this past winter.
There is no single Japanese word that directly corresponds to 'last winter'. Avoid literal translations like 最後の冬 (saigo no fuyu), which means 'the final winter'.
去年の冬 is used in everyday conversation, while 昨冬 is more formal and often appears in written language or news reports.
A more formal or written term for 'last winter'. Commonly used in news or formal writing.
昨冬の降雪量は記録的だった。
Last winter's snowfall was record-breaking.
Even if the winter ended in the current year, Japanese often uses 'last year's winter' if the winter started in the previous year.
去年の冬は暖冬でした。
Last winter was mild.