Japanese Conversation · Level 119
60 words
Japanese word
初夏
Pronunciation
Romajishoka
Meaning
- nounearly summer
Example
初夏に海へ行く人が増えます。sho ka ni umi e i ku hito ga fu e ma su
More people go to the beach in early summer.
More examples
窓を開けると、初夏の風が部屋に入ってきます。mado o a ke ru to sho ka no kaze ga heya ni hai tte ki ma su
When I open the window, an early summer breeze comes into the room.
Core concept
Centers on the first stage of summer, when the season is beginning rather than fully established.
Common phrases
初夏の陽気sho ka no yō ki
early summer weather
初夏の日差しsho ka no hi za shi
early summer sunlight
Similar words
孟夏mōka: A literary term for the beginning of the summer season.
Definition in Japanese
夏の初めに当たる時期。natsu no haji me ni a ta ru ji ki
Word origin
初 (sho, "beginning") and 夏 (ka, "summer") combine in the Sino-Japanese compound 初夏 (shoka) to mean the beginning of summer.
Usage tips
- In Japanese weather reports and seasonal greetings, 初夏 (shoka) often appears as a broad seasonal label rather than the name of a fixed date.
Opposites
- 初冬shotōearly winternoun
Related words
- 初夏らしさshokarashisaearly-summer feelnoun
- 初夏らしいshokarashiiearly-summer-likei-adjective