Translation guide
A word or phrase strongly associated with a particular season, often used in poetry, letters, or to evoke a seasonal feeling. In Japanese, this concept is central to traditional arts like haiku, where 季語 (kigo) are essential, but also appears in everyday seasonal greetings and expressions.
A word that indicates the season in a haiku or other traditional poetry.
The standard term for a seasonal word used in haiku and other traditional Japanese poetry. Each 季語 is categorized by season and listed in special dictionaries called 歳時記 (saijiki).
俳句には季語を入れる必要があります。
You need to include a seasonal word in a haiku.
「桜」は春の季語です。
"Sakura" is a spring seasonal word.
Sometimes used interchangeably with 季語, but can also refer specifically to the seasonal topic or theme rather than the word itself. More common in literary contexts.
この季題は夏を表します。
This seasonal topic represents summer.
A phrase used in letters or conversation to acknowledge the season.
Refers to seasonal greetings used at the beginning of formal letters. These are fixed phrases that change with the season, such as mentioning the cold in winter or the heat in summer.
手紙の最初に時候の挨拶を書きます。
I write a seasonal greeting at the beginning of the letter.
A more general term for seasonal greetings, used in both formal and informal contexts. Can refer to casual comments about the weather or season.
メールの冒頭に季節の挨拶を入れると丁寧です。
It's polite to include a seasonal greeting at the beginning of an email.
Any word that strongly suggests a particular season, not necessarily in poetry.
Japanese has many words that are inherently tied to seasons, such as 桜 (sakura) for spring, 花火 (hanabi) for summer, 紅葉 (kōyō) for autumn, and 雪 (yuki) for winter. Using these naturally conveys the season.
夏になると花火大会が楽しみです。
I look forward to fireworks festivals when summer comes.
秋は紅葉がきれいですね。
The autumn leaves are beautiful in fall, aren't they?
Refers to things, events, or scenes that are characteristic of a particular season and evoke a poetic feeling. Often used for seasonal traditions or natural phenomena.
To sound natural in Japanese, learn common seasonal associations. For example, 桜 (sakura) is spring, 蝉 (semi, cicada) is summer, 月見 (tsukimi, moon viewing) is autumn, and こたつ (kotatsu) is winter. Using these in conversation shows cultural awareness.
The English phrase "seasonal word" is not commonly used outside of poetry contexts. In Japanese, 季語 is specific to haiku, while 時候の挨拶 is for letters. For general seasonal vocabulary, just use the specific word (e.g., 雪, 桜) rather than a generic term.
お花見は春の風物詩です。
Cherry blossom viewing is a seasonal tradition of spring.