1.
clear weather in May; fine day during the rainy season
originally referred to brief clear spells during the rainy season (the fifth month in the lunar calendar), now commonly used for pleasant clear weather in May
今日は五月晴れだ。
Today is a beautiful May day.
五月晴れの下、運動会が行われた。
The sports day was held under clear May skies.
久しぶりの五月晴れで、洗濯物がよく乾いた。
It was a rare clear May day, so the laundry dried well.
COMPOUND:
五月 (fifth month/May in lunar calendar) + 晴れ (clear weather)
ETYMOLOGY:
Originally referred to clear spells during the rainy season (梅雨), which fell in the fifth month of the lunar calendar. The lunar fifth month corresponds roughly to June in the modern calendar.
MODERN USAGE:
Today, 五月晴れ is commonly used to describe pleasant, clear weather in May (modern calendar). Weather forecasters sometimes note this shift from the original meaning.
SEASONAL WORD (季語):
五月晴れ is a traditional seasonal word (kigo) for early summer in haiku.
RELATED SEASONAL EXPRESSIONS:
- 秋晴れ - clear autumn weather
- 小春日和 - Indian summer
- 梅雨晴れ - break in the rainy season