Translation guide
How to express the idea of spending or getting through the winter in Japanese, from neutral statements to poetic seasonal phrases.
To say that someone or something spends the winter in a place or in a certain way, without strong nuance.
The most common and neutral way to say 'pass the winter'. Used for people, animals, or even objects staying somewhere over winter.
I will spend this winter in Hokkaido.
Migratory birds pass the winter in warm places.
Literally 'wintering over'. Often used for animals, insects, or plants surviving the winter, or for ships/expeditions staying over winter. Slightly formal or technical.
This insect passes the winter as an adult.
The Antarctic research team winters over.
Similar to 冬を過ごす but with a nuance of 'getting through' or 'surviving' the winter. Can imply endurance.
This plant cannot survive the winter.
He got through the winter on meager savings.
To emphasize the difficulty of getting through winter, often with a sense of hardship or scarcity.
To 'ride out' or 'weather' the winter. Implies actively overcoming difficulties.
We'll get through the winter by saving on heating costs.
To 'endure' or 'get by' during winter. Often used when resources are limited.
We somehow managed to get through the winter with little food.
To express 'passing the winter' in a more elegant, seasonal, or literary way, often found in haiku or traditional contexts.
Literally 'winter seclusion'. Refers to staying indoors and living quietly through the winter, like hibernation for humans. A seasonal word (kigo) in haiku.
To spend the winter secluded in a mountain village.
Alternative kanji for 冬ごもり, same meaning and reading. More literary or traditional feel.
冬を過ごす is the most general and neutral. 越冬 is often used for animals, insects, or scientific/expedition contexts. 冬を越す implies getting through winter, sometimes with difficulty.
Swallows spend the winter in warm countries.
This butterfly overwinters as a pupa.
He got through the harsh winter alone.
山里で冬籠りをする。
To spend the winter secluded in a mountain village.