旬
Meanings
1
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
Refers to the time when a particular food (fruit, fish, vegetable) is at its best and most plentiful.
Strawberries are in season now.
Fish in season is really delicious after all.
2
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', na-adjective
Extended use for things that are currently popular or in fashion, often with a nuance of being 'hot' or 'fresh'.
He is a popular actor right now.
This design feels very trendy.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉が旬を迎えるfor a food to come into (peak) season
When autumn comes, chestnuts come into season.
- 今が旬の〈人〉someone who is currently at the height of their popularity
It's a movie starring an actor who's at the peak of his popularity right now.
- 〈物〉が旬を過ぎるfor a food to be past its peak season
These strawberries are already past their peak season.
- 〈物〉のうちに食べるto eat something while it's still in season
It's best to eat seasonal vegetables while they're fresh.