盛(さか)り

さかり
noun
peak; prime; height
1. peak; height; prime; bloom
The period when something is at its most flourishing, intense, or active state. Used for seasons, popularity, careers, or physical condition.
桜(さくら)は今(いま)が盛(さか)りだ。
The cherry blossoms are now at their peak.
働(はたら)き盛(ざか)りの年齢(ねんれい)だ。
He is at the prime working age.
[Note: 働き盛り is a compound meaning 'prime working years']
夏(なつ)の盛(さか)りで毎日(まいにち)暑(あつ)い。
It is the height of summer and hot every day.
2. heat (of animals); being in season
The breeding season or mating period for animals, especially cats and dogs.
猫(ねこ)が盛(さか)りがついて、毎晩(まいばん)鳴(な)いている。
The cat is in heat and meows every night.
[Note: 盛りがつく means 'to go into heat']
春(はる)になると、猫(ねこ)が盛(さか)りの声(こえ)を出(だ)す。
In spring, cats make mating calls.
盛(さか)りのついた犬(いぬ)が逃(に)げ出(だ)した。
The dog in heat escaped.

USAGE: Most commonly appears in compound forms:

  • 〜盛(ざか)り (働(はたら)き盛(ざか)り - prime working age, 食(た)べ盛(ざか)り - age when one eats a lot)
  • 盛(さか)りを過(す)ぎる (to be past one's prime)
  • 盛(さか)りがつく (to go into heat)

PATTERNS:

  • 今が盛りだ (to be at the peak now)
  • 盛りの + noun (at the height of...)

WRITING: Usually written with kanji 盛り. The reading changes to ざかり in compounds.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 最盛期(さいせいき) (peak period - more formal)
  • 全盛(ぜんせい) (heyday, golden age)
  • 絶頂(ぜっちょう) (climax, peak)

Related Words

Related: 盛(も)る (to serve/pile up)
general
Added 2026.1.13 19:53 · Revised 2026.2.19 23:52
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