玄げん冬とう

noun

winter

A literary, somewhat archaic term for winter, often used in poetry or elevated prose. Not used in everyday conversation; the common word is 冬 (ふゆ).

• 玄げん冬とうの候こう、皆みな様さまにはますますご清せい栄えいのこととお慶よろこび申もうし上あげます。

  In this winter season, I hope you are all doing well.

• この句くは玄げん冬とうの厳きびしさを詠よんだものだ。

  This haiku captures the severity of winter.