梅雨(つゆ)

つゆ
noun
rainy season, tsuyu
See also: 露(つゆ) (dew, dewdrops)
1. rainy season
The period of heavy rain in early summer in Japan.
梅雨(つゆ)に入(はい)った。
The rainy season has begun.
梅雨(つゆ)に入(はい)る is a set expression for the start of the rainy season.
やっと梅雨(つゆ)が明(あ)けた。
The rainy season has finally ended.
梅雨(つゆ)が明(あ)ける is a set expression for the end of the rainy season.
梅雨(つゆ)の時期(じき)は洗濯物(せんたくもの)が乾(かわ)きにくくて困(こま)る。
During the rainy season, it's hard to get laundry dry, which is a pain.
今年(ことし)の梅雨(つゆ)は雨(あめ)が多(おお)くて、毎日(まいにち)のように傘(かさ)を持(も)って出(で)かけている。
This year's rainy season has been very wet, so I've been taking an umbrella almost every day.
今年(ことし)は空梅雨(からつゆ)で雨(あめ)がほとんど降(ふ)らなかったため、農家(のうか)の人(ひと)たちは水不足(みずぶそく)を心配(しんぱい)している。
This year was a dry rainy season with almost no rain, so farmers are worried about water shortages.
空梅雨(からつゆ) means a rainy season with very little rain.

梅雨(つゆ) is Japan's rainy season, typically lasting from early June to mid-July.

ETYMOLOGY:
Literally "plum rain" — the rainy season coincides with the ripening of 梅(うめ) (plums). Also read ばいう in the compound 梅雨前線(ばいうぜんせん) (rainy season front).

KEY EXPRESSIONS:

  • 梅雨入(つゆい)り: the start of the rainy season
  • 梅雨明(つゆあ)け: the end of the rainy season
  • 空梅雨(からつゆ): a dry rainy season (less rain than usual)
  • 梅雨前線(ばいうぜんせん): the seasonal rain front

CULTURAL CONTEXT:
The rainy season is a significant part of Japanese life, affecting daily routines, agriculture, and mood. 紫陽花(あじさい) (hydrangeas) are the iconic flower of 梅雨(つゆ) season.

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Added 2026.1.9 21:47 · Revised 2026.3.26 15:22
02000/02232_tsuyu