冬
fuyu[ɸɯ̟jɯ̟]
The Japanese word for winter is 冬 (fuyu). Wiktionary also lists 冬季 (tōki).
Meaning: fourth season, marked by short days and the lowest temperatures (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 冬 | fuyu | [ɸɯ̟jɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 冬季 | tōki | [to̞ːkʲi] (narrow) |
The term refers to the fourth season, characterized by short days and the lowest temperatures. If you wish to speak specifically about winter break or winter holidays, such as those in schools, you should use the compound 冬休み.
Which one should you use?
冬 is the common, everyday word for winter. In contrast, 冬季 is a more formal or technical term used to refer to a 'winter season' or 'winter period,' often in official contexts.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
fuyu
Did you know?
- Japanese speakers use the term 冬将軍 or 'Winter General' to personify the arrival of a sudden, harsh cold snap.
- Japan has a unique 'winter' food culture centered on 冬至, the winter solstice, where it is traditional to eat かぼちゃ or pumpkin to prevent colds.
- In Japanese poetry and art, 冬 is often represented by 'seasonal words' called 季語, such as 雪 for 'snow' or こたつ for the traditional heated table.
Examples in context
- 冬は去った。Winter has gone.This sentence is useful for saying that winter has passed using 冬.Tatoeba #124350 by small_snow, translation #279644 by sundown
- 冬は寒いよ。It's cold in the winter.This sentence is useful for describing the cold weather of winter using 冬.Tatoeba #9725744 by small_snow, translation #9179804 by DJ_Saidez
- もうすぐ冬だ。Winter is drawing on.This sentence is useful for stating that winter is approaching using 冬.Tatoeba #194427 by small_snow, translation #31599 by AlanF_US
- 私たちは冬の訪れを楽しみにしています。We are looking forward to the arrival of winter.
- 毎年の冬季にはスキーに行きます。I go skiing every winter.
- 冬の時期になると、温かい鍋を作るのが好きです。When the winter season comes, I enjoy making hot pot dishes.
- 271 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their favorite seasons.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲は冬が好き？Misaki wa fuyu ga suki?Misaki, do you like winter?
- 美咲 Misakiうん、冬の景色が大好き。Un, fuyu no keshiki ga daisuki.Yes, I love the winter scenery.
- 大翔 Hiroto僕は冬は寒すぎるよ。Boku wa fuyu wa samusugiru yo.I think winter is too cold.
- 美咲 Misakiでも雪はきれいだよ。Demo yuki wa kirei da yo.But the snow is beautiful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “winter” translations and entries 冬, 冬季, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
