Translation guide
The English word 'season' can refer to the four natural seasons, a period of the year for a specific activity, or the act of adding flavor to food. This guide covers the most common and useful Japanese expressions for each meaning.
Referring to one of the four seasons of the year.
The most common and general word for 'season' in the sense of spring, summer, autumn, or winter.
日本には四季があります。
Japan has four seasons.
どの季節が一番好きですか。
Which season do you like best?
A loanword from English, often used for specific periods like tourist seasons or sports seasons, but can also refer to natural seasons in some contexts.
観光シーズンは春です。
The tourist season is spring.
A more formal or literary term for season, often used in written language.
花見の時季になりました。
The season for cherry blossom viewing has arrived.
Referring to a time of year when a particular activity, sport, or event takes place.
The standard word for 'season' in contexts like sports, holidays, or specific activities.
サッカーのシーズンが始まった。
The soccer season has started.
スキーシーズンは12月からです。
The ski season is from December.
A more general word for 'time' or 'period', often used when 'season' means a suitable time for something.
今は引っ越しの時期です。
Now is the season for moving.
Specifically refers to the season when a particular food is at its best (in season).
今がカキの旬です。
Oysters are in season now.
The verb 'to season' meaning to add salt, pepper, spices, etc. to food.
The most common way to say 'to season' food. Literally 'to apply flavor'.
塩とコショウで味付けしてください。
Please season it with salt and pepper.
この料理はしっかり味付けされている。
This dish is well seasoned.
A slightly more formal or technical term for seasoning.
調味料で調味する。
Season with seasonings.
季節 (きせつ) is the native Japanese word for the four natural seasons. シーズン is a loanword used for specific periods like sports seasons, tourist seasons, or TV show seasons. While シーズン can sometimes replace 季節 in casual speech, 季節 is preferred for formal or traditional contexts.
The English verb 'to season' (food) is never translated as 季節. Use 味付けする or 調味する instead.