Japanese word of the day: 季節 (Kisetsu)

What does 季節 (Kisetsu) mean?

季節 (Kisetsu) (noun) – Season; one of the four periods of the year: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. This word is used to talk about the changing weather, nature, and all the traditions and foods that come with each time of year in Japan.

Kanji details for 季 and 節

Character: 季 — seasons
Radical: child, seed 子

Character: 節 — node, season, period, occasion, verse, clause, stanza, honor, joint, knuckle, knob, knot, tune, melody
Radical: bamboo 竹 (⺮)

Example sentences with 季節 (Kisetsu)

• 日本には四つの季節があります。
  (Nihon ni wa yottsu no kisetsu ga arimasu.)
  🌸🌞🍁❄️ Japan has four seasons.

• あなたの好きな季節は何ですか。
  (Anata no sukina kisetsu wa nan desu ka?)
  ❓ What’s your favorite season?

• この季節は花粉が多いです。
  (Kono kisetsu wa kafun ga ōi desu.)
  🌼 There’s a lot of pollen in this season.

季節 (Kisetsu) in context

季節 is a word you’ll hear everywhere in Japan, a country famous for its appreciation of seasonal changes. From cherry blossoms in spring to autumn leaves and winter snow, each 季節 brings its own foods, festivals, and customs. You’ll often see it in phrases like 季節の料理 (kisetsu no ryōri, seasonal cuisine), 季節の花 (kisetsu no hana, seasonal flowers), or 季節限定 (kisetsu gentei, limited to the season).

A quick tip: If you want to talk about a specific season, use 春 (haru, spring), 夏 (natsu, summer), 秋 (aki, autumn), or 冬 (fuyu, winter) after 季節, like 春の季節 (haru no kisetsu, the spring season).