端境期(はざかいき)

はざかいき
noun
off-season, gap period, transition period
time-generalworkbusiness
1. gap period between harvests
The period between the end of one harvest and the beginning of the next, when supplies are low.
野菜(やさい)の端境期(はざかいき)。
The gap period between vegetable harvests.
Vegetable prices are rising due to the harvest gap.
夏(なつ)の端境期(はざかいき)を乗(の)り越(こ)える。
To get through the summer harvest gap.
2. off-season, slow period, transition period
A period of reduced activity or supply between two busy seasons or product cycles.
観光(かんこう)の端境期(はざかいき)。
The off-season for tourism.
Sales are down due to the transition period between new products.
Work is stalled during the transition period of personnel changes.

端境期(はざかいき) refers to a gap or transition period.

Etymology

From 端(はた) (edge) + 境(さかい) (boundary) + 期(き) (period), literally 'boundary-edge period'.
Originally referred specifically to the agricultural period between rice harvests when old rice was depleted and new rice wasn't yet available.

Usage

Now broadly used for any off-season or transition period in business, tourism, retail, etc.

Common patterns