How to say “winter” in Japanese
Native speakers say “fuyu” to mean ‘winter’ in Japanese. Very simple. In this blog post, however, I will explain it with its related expressions. And also, I will explain how to use them through example sentences. Let’s get started!
Contents
Definition and meaning of “fuyu”
Let me start with the definition and meaning of “fuyu”.
- fuyu – 冬 (ふゆ) : a noun meaning ‘winter’ in Japanese.
Grammatically, this is a noun. In reality, however, it can also be used as an adverb and inserted almost anywhere in a sentence to say “winter”. In Japanese, interestingly, many time-related nouns can also work as adverbs. This trait might sound weird to Japanese learners. However, it can also be found in other languages like English. In fact, the time-related word, “tomorrow”, can work as both a noun and an adverb. So, Japanese learners, especially those who are familiar with English, can easily understand this point, I think.
The meaning of “fuyu” is very simple and clear. Then, let me explain how to use it through the example sentence below.
Example #1: how to say “winter” in Japanese
kotoshi no fuyu wa kyoto ni iki masu – 今年の冬は京都に行きます (ことしのふゆはきょうとにいきます)
This winter, I will go to Kyoto.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- kotoshi – 今年 (ことし) : a noun meaning ‘this year’ in Japanese.
- no – の : a case particle used to join two nouns. Normally the preceding noun can work as a modifier to describe the following noun. In this example, this is used to join “kotoshi” and “fuyu”. The formed phrase literally means ‘this year’s winter’ in Japanese; it has been translated as ‘this winter’.
- wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this is used after “kotoshi no fuyu” to provide a topic.
- kyoto – 京都 (きょうと) : one of the most famous Japanese cities. This is a noun.
- ni – に : a case particle used to say where someone or something goes. In the example, this is used after “kyoto” to say where the speaker will go this winter.
- iki – 行き (いき) : one conjugation of the verb, “iku”, which means ‘to go’ in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.
- masu – ます : an auxiliary verb used after a verb to make it polite. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese masu form. In the example, this is used after “iki” to make it sound polite.
This is a typical usage of “fuyu”. When we want to say “winter” in Japanese, it is the best word. In this example, it works as a part of the widely-used expression, “kotoshi no fuyu”, which means ‘this winter’ in Japanese. This expression is also worth knowing.
The middle of winter in Japanese: mafuyu
Next, let me explain the related expression, “mafuyu”, as follows.
- mafuyu – 真冬 (まふゆ) : a noun meaning ‘the middle of winter’ or ‘midwinter’ in Japanese.
This word is not difficult. To understand more clearly, however, let me explain its kanji characters in detail, one by one.
- 真 : a kanji character often used as a prefix to add the meaning of ‘truly’, ‘middle’, ‘peak’, or such to its following word. This kanji can also be found in other words like “mayonaka“.
- 冬 : the same as explained above. This means ‘winter’ in Japanese.
From these two kanji characters, we can understand that “mafuyu” literally means ‘the middle of winter’. So, what the kanji characters express is completely in line with the meanings.
When we meet new kanji expressions, we should check their kanji characters in detail to understand their meanings clearly and deeply. In many cases, kanji characters tell us a lot about meanings of words they form. Actually, here, we could get the better understanding of “mafuyu” through the detailed kanji check above.
Then, let me explain how to use “mafuyu” through the example sentence below.
Example #2: how to say “the middle of winter” in Japanese
mafuyu no kyoto wa totemo kirei desu – 真冬の京都はとても綺麗です (まふゆのきょうとはとてもきれいです)
Kyoto is very beautiful in the middle of winter.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- totemo – とても : an adverb of degree, meaning ‘very’, ‘much’, ‘so’, or such in Japanese. In the example, this is used to emphasize the meaning of its following word.
- kirei – 綺麗 (きれい) : one conjugation of the na-adjective, “kireina“, which means ‘beautiful’ in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.
- desu – です : an auxiliary verb used after a noun or adjective to make it polite. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese desu form. In the example, this is used after “kirei” to make it sound polite.
This is a typical usage of “mafuyu”. When we want to say “the middle of winter” in Japanese, this word is the best choice.
Summary
In this blog post, I’ve explained “fuyu” and its related expressions. And also, I’ve explained how to use them through the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.
- fuyu – 冬 (ふゆ) : a noun meaning ‘winter’ in Japanese. This can also be used as an adverb and inserted almost anywhere in a sentence. When we want to say “winter” in Japanese, this is the best word.
- kotoshi no fuyu – 今年の冬 (ことしのふゆ) : a widely-used expression meaning ‘this winter’ in Japanese. This literally means ‘this year’s winter’.
- mafuyu – 真冬 (まふゆ) : a noun meaning ‘the middle of winter’ or ‘midwinter’ in Japanese. These two kanji characters literally mean ‘the middle of winter’. So, what the kanji characters express is completely in line with the meanings.
Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.
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