厳 冬(げんとう)

げんとう

noun

severe winter; harsh winter

weather time-season

1. severe winter; harsh winter; the coldest period of winter

refers to the harshest, coldest part of winter or an exceptionally cold winter

今年(ことし)は厳冬(げんとう)になりそうだ。

This year looks like it will be a severe winter.

厳冬(げんとう)の北海道(ほっかいどう)を旅行(りょこう)した。

I traveled to Hokkaido in the harsh winter.

厳冬(げんとう)を乗(の)り越(こ)えるために防寒対策(ぼうかんたいさく)が必要(ひつよう)だ。

Cold weather measures are necessary to get through the harsh winter.

Usage

Either the coldest part of winter (January and February in most of Japan) or an unusually severe winter. Mostly written: forecasts, news, and the letter opening 厳冬(げんとう)の候(こう).

Related words

初冬(しょとう) - early winter
真冬(まふゆ) - midwinter, depth of winter
晩冬(ばんとう) - late winter
暖冬(だんとう) - mild winter (opposite)

Common collocations

厳冬(げんとう)を迎(むか)える - to enter the harsh winter
厳冬(げんとう)を乗(の)り越(こ)える - to get through the severe winter
厳冬(げんとう)の候(こう) - during the severe winter (formal letter writing)

Similar words

厳寒(げんかん) - severe cold
極寒(ごっかん) - extreme cold
酷寒(こっかん) - bitter cold

Related Words

Antonym: 暖冬(だんとう) (mild winter)

Related: 初冬(しょとう) (early winter)

Related: 真冬(まふゆ) (midwinter, depth of winter)

Related: 厳寒(げんかん) (severe cold)

Related: 極寒(ごっかん) (extreme cold)

Related: 酷寒(こっかん) (bitter cold)

Related: 酷暑(こくしょ) (extreme heat)

Compare: 寒冬(かんとう) (cold winter)

general

Added 2026.1.27 20:29 · Revised 2026.9.27 4:46

08500/08556_gentou