Learn about rainy season in Japan
Welcome back to another “Video & Article” series, this time for another live-stream with tutor Erika. In this lesson we will take a look at rainy season, also called 梅雨in Japan. This lesson introduces many useful phrases and vocabulary you can use during rainy season… or when complaining about it!
| Table of Contents [Introduction] [梅雨 – rainy season] [Related Vocabulary with Examples] |
[Introduction]
Have you ever heard of the word “梅雨入り”? This means that the rainy season has started, or that the rainy season has made its entrance, if you will When travelling somewhere, you will probably want to know what the weather is going to be like. “Tsuyu”, the rainy season, is something to keep in mind when travelling to Japan. Generally, the rainy season lasts from about June to mid-July, making its way from south to north. The only exceptions are Okinawa, where rainy season usually starts about a month earlier, and Hokkaido, which is barely affected by the weather phenomenon.
今日は日本語の梅雨、そしてそれに関連する言葉を勉強しましょう。
Let’s learn about rainy season in Japan and related expressions in today’s lesson.
[梅雨 – rainy season]
First of all, let’s take a look at the word “梅雨” itself. This literally translates to “Plum rain”, mainly because Japanese plums ripen during this season. There are also two different readings for this Kanji. One reading is “Tsuyu”, which is the reading we already mentioned. The second reading is “ばいう” (Baiu). “Tsuyu” is “訓読み” (the Japanese reading) and “Baiu” is “音読み” (the Chinese reading). Depending on the combination with other words, “梅雨” will be read either as “Tsuyu” or “Baiu”.
梅雨入り
The beginning of the rainy season
“入り” is read in “訓読み”, so in this case “梅雨” is read as “つゆ”.
梅雨前線
Seasonal rain front
Do you remember our article on Sakura? There is also a “桜前線”! This is the front line along which the rainy season slowly makes its way across the country from south to north. “前線” is read in “音読み”, so “梅雨” is read as “ばいう”.
梅雨明け
The end of rainy season
Again “開け” is “訓読み”, so this is read as “つゆ”.
[Related Vocabulary with Examples]
Let’s take a look at some vocabulary that is used commonly during rainy season. We will also provide example sentences.
じめじめする
To be damp and humid
今日はじめじめするね。
It’s humid today.
蒸し蒸しする
To be hot and humid
今日は蒸し蒸しするね。
It’s hot and humid today.
蒸し暑い
Hot and humid
“蒸し蒸しする” and “蒸し暑い” basically mean the same thing.
熱帯夜
Tropical night (temperature doesn’t fall below 25℃)
昨日の夜は熱帯夜で眠れなかったよ。
I couldn’t sleep at all last night because it was a tropical night.
That’s it for today. If you have any questions, you can always clear them up by booking a lesson with one of our native Japanese tutors. See you next time!
| 梅雨 | Rainy season |
| 梅雨入り | Beginning of the rainy season |
| 関連する | To be related, to be connected |
| 訓読み | Japanese reading of a character |
| 音読み | Chinese reading of a character |
| 梅雨前線 | Seasonal rain front |
| 梅雨明け | The end of rainy season |
| じめじめする | To be damp and humid |
| 蒸し蒸しする | To be hot and humid |
| 蒸し暑い | Hot and humid |
| 熱帯夜 | Tropical night (temperature doesn’t fall below 25℃) |
