Translation guide
The twelfth month of the traditional lunar calendar, roughly corresponding to December–January in the Gregorian calendar. In modern Japanese, this is primarily a historical or literary concept, but it appears in seasonal poetry, traditional contexts, and some set expressions.
Referring to the last month of the traditional lunar year, often in historical, literary, or poetic contexts.
The traditional Japanese name for the twelfth lunar month. Still used in modern Japanese to evoke a poetic or seasonal feel, especially in haiku, letters, or traditional contexts. Literally means 'priests running,' reflecting the busyness of the year-end.
Using the concept of the twelfth lunar month to evoke the hectic year-end period, often in modern contexts.
Even outside strictly lunar calendar contexts, 師走 is used figuratively to refer to the busy December period in the modern calendar.
While 師走 originally refers to the lunar twelfth month, it is commonly used in modern Japanese to mean 'December' with a poetic or traditional nuance. It is not restricted to the lunar calendar in everyday usage.
十二月 (じゅうにがつ) is the standard word for December in the Gregorian calendar. 師走 carries a literary or seasonal flavor and is often used in haiku, letters, or when emphasizing the year-end rush.
師走に入り、町は年の瀬の雰囲気に包まれている。
As we enter the twelfth lunar month, the town is filled with a year-end atmosphere.
師走の風が身にしみる。
The wind of the twelfth month chills me to the bone.
Explicitly 'twelfth month of the lunar calendar.' More technical and precise than 師走, used when clarity is needed.
陰暦十二月は、現在の一月から二月にあたる。
The twelfth lunar month corresponds to the period from January to February in the current calendar.
Another way to say 'twelfth month of the old/lunar calendar.' Similar to 陰暦十二月 but slightly more common in everyday explanations.
旧暦十二月のことを師走とも呼びます。
The twelfth month of the old calendar is also called 'shiwasu.'
今年も師走の忙しさに追われている。
This year too, I'm caught up in the year-end rush.
A formal seasonal greeting used in letters during December, equivalent to 'in this busy year-end season.'
師走の候、皆様にはますますご清栄のこととお慶び申し上げます。
In this busy December season, I hope you are all doing well.