Learn the Japanese vocabulary for seasons
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| 夏 (natsu) |
| 梅雨 (tsuyu) |
| 冬 (fuyu) |
| What do these words mean? Stick around. In this quick lesson, you’ll learn Japanese vocabulary for seasons. |
| Before we start, do you know there’s an expression in Japanese that lets you refer to all four seasons with just one word? Do you know what that word is? |
| Keep watching for the answer at the end. |
| 春 (haru) |
| "spring" |
| [SLOW] 春 (haru) |
| 春 (haru) |
| During 春 (haru), Japanese people like to go to 花見 (hanami) to see the 桜 (sakura). |
| They are probably also suffering from 花粉症 (kafunshō). |
| Susan tells Lina about her garden. |
| Susan: 私の庭の花は春に咲きます。 (Watashi no niwa no hana wa haru ni sakimasu.) |
| Lina: 春の庭は素敵ですよね。 (Haru no niwa wa suteki desu yo ne.) |
| 夏 (natsu) |
| "summer" |
| [SLOW] 夏 (natsu) |
| 夏 (natsu) |
| Do you hear the セミの鳴き声 (semi no nakigoe)? |
| Ah, 夏 (natsu) has arrived! |
| 暑いですね (Atsui desu ne). |
| Steve and Oscar chat about their favorite seasons. |
| Steve: 私は冬が好きです。夏は暑すぎます。 (Watashi wa fuyu ga suki desu. Natsu wa atsu sugimasu.) |
| Oscar: でも、私は夏が好きです。ビーチが大好きですから。 (Demo, watashi wa natsu ga suki desu. Bīchi ga daisuki desu kara.) |
| 秋 (aki) |
| "autumn" |
| [SLOW] 秋 (aki) |
| 秋 (aki) |
| Do you know the word 紅葉 (kōyō)? |
| It is the word for the leaves changing color in 秋 (aki). |
| Susan talks to a child about seasons during a walk with Lina. |
| Susan: 秋になると、葉っぱは色を変えて落ちます。 (Aki ni naru to, happa wa iro o kaete ochimasu.) |
| Lina: 彼女は葉っぱの中で遊ぶのが大好きなんです！ (Kanojo wa happa no naka de asobu no ga daisuki nan desu!) |
| 冬 (fuyu) |
| "winter" |
| [SLOW] 冬 (fuyu) |
| 冬 (fuyu) |
| During 冬 (fuyu), the holiday season arrives. |
| Many illuminations, Christmas markets, and also 初詣 (hatsumōde), the first shrine visit of the new year. |
| Jack and Steve chat about their upcoming winter holidays. |
| Jack: 冬の休み、楽しみですか。 (Fuyu no yasumi, tanoshimi desu ka.) |
| Steve: もちろんです！早くスキーに行きたいです。 (Mochiron desu! Hayaku sukī ni ikitai desu.) |
| 梅雨 (tsuyu) |
| "rainy season" |
| [SLOW] 梅雨 (tsuyu) |
| 梅雨 (tsuyu) |
| During 梅雨 (tsuyu), the あじさい (ajisai), or hydrangea, bloom. |
| The color is different depending on the soil, but with this season also comes rising temperatures and brutal humidity, so take care of yourself out there with the あじさい (ajisai). |
| Jack and Steve chat while shopping. |
| Jack: 今日はどうしてみんな傘を買ってるんでしょうか。 (Kyō wa dōshite minna kasa o katte ru n deshō ka.) |
| Steve: もうすぐ梅雨だからですよ。 (Mōsugu tsuyu da kara desu yo.) |
| Let's review. |
| You'll see the words in English and your job is to say the words in Japanese. |
| Ready? |
| Do you remember how to say "spring"? |
| 春 (haru) |
| 春 (haru) |
| And how to say "summer"? |
| 夏 (natsu) |
| 夏 (natsu) |
| How about "autumn"? |
| 秋 (aki) |
| 秋 (aki) |
| Do you remember how to say "winter"? |
| 冬 (fuyu) |
| 冬 (fuyu) |
| And finally, do you remember how to say "rainy season"? |
| 梅雨 (tsuyu) |
| 梅雨 (tsuyu) |
| Do you know there’s an expression in Japanese that lets you refer to all four seasons with just one word? Do you know what that word is? |
| It’s 春夏秋冬 (shunkashūtō)! This word combines the kanji for spring (shun), summer (ka), autumn (shū), and winter (tō). Together, they create a poetic way to describe the four seasons as a whole. |
| Thanks for watching! Don't forget to practice these new words and phrases, and see you next time! |
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