Japanese word

冬

Pronunciation

Romajifuyu

Meaning

  • nounwinter

Example

冬が好きです。fuyu ga su ki de su

I like winter.

Illustration for 冬 (winter)

More examples

冬に雪が降ります。fuyu ni yuki ga fu ri ma su

It snows in winter.

冬は雪が降る地域へ旅行する人が増えます。fuyu wa yuki ga fu ru chi iki e ryo kō su ru hito ga fu e ma su

In winter, more people travel to areas where it snows.

Core concept

The season that follows autumn and comes before spring, marked by shorter days and colder weather.

Common phrases

  • 冬休みfuyu yasu mi

    winter vacation

  • 冬になるfuyu ni na ru

    winter arrives

  • 冬を越すfuyu o ko su

    get through winter

Similar words

冬場fuyuba: The period of the year when winter conditions are present.

Definition in Japanese

秋の次に来て春の前にある、寒い季節。aki no tsugi ni ki te haru no mae ni a ru samu i ki setsu

Word origin

The native Japanese word 冬 (fuyu, "winter") is recorded in Old Japanese, while its deeper etymology remains uncertain.

Usage tips

  • In Japan, the winter solstice is linked with 柚子湯 (yuzuyu, "yuzu bath"), a custom that connects the season with a citrus-scented bath.

Opposites

Related words

  • 冬らしいfuyurashiiwintryi-adjective
  • 冬らしさfuyurashisawintrinessnoun

Word lists with this word