酷暑(こくしょ)

こくしょ
noun
extreme heat; severe heat; scorching weather
weathertime-seasonclimate
1. extreme heat; severe heat; scorching summer weather
extremely hot weather conditions, more severe than ordinary summer heat; often used when temperatures significantly exceed normal levels
今年(ことし)は例年(れいねん)にない酷暑(こくしょ)だ。
This year is experiencing unprecedented extreme heat.
酷暑(こくしょ)で農作物(のうさくもつ)に被害(ひがい)が出(で)た。
The extreme heat has damaged crops.
酷暑(こくしょ)の中(なか)、エアコンなしでは過(す)ごせない。
In this extreme heat, I can't survive without air conditioning.

Forms

酷(こく) (severe, cruel) + 暑(しょ) (heat) → severe heat

INTENSITY SCALE (from less to more severe):

Usage

酷暑(こくしょ) is slightly more formal and emphatic than 猛暑(もうしょ). It emphasizes the cruel, unbearable nature of the heat.

Related words

Common collocations

Related Words

Synonym: 猛暑(もうしょ) (intense heat (milder))
Related: 猛暑日(もうしょび) (day over 35°C)
Related: 熱中症(ねっちゅうしょう) (heatstroke)
Related: 厳冬(げんとう) (severe winter)
Related: 残暑(ざんしょ) (lingering summer heat)
Related: 真夏日(まなつび) (hot summer day (over 30°C))
Compare: 熱波(ねっぱ) (heat wave)
Compare: 炎暑(えんしょ) (scorching heat)
general
Added 2026.1.26 8:17 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
08000/08324_kokusho