旬(しゅん)

しゅん

noun

in season, peak season

1. in season, peak season (for food)

The time of year when a particular food (fish, vegetable, fruit) is at its most plentiful, freshest, and best-tasting. A central concept in Japanese cuisine.

秋(あき)は秋刀魚(さんま)の旬(しゅん)だ。

Autumn is the peak season for Pacific saury.

旬(しゅん)の食材(しょくざい)を使(つか)った料理(りょうり)は格別(かくべつ)だ。

Dishes made with seasonal ingredients are exceptional.

旬(しゅん)の野菜(やさい)は栄養(えいよう)も豊富(ほうふ)で値段(ねだん)も手頃(てごろ)だ。

Vegetables in season are nutritious and reasonably priced.

2. peak, prime, height of popularity

By extension, the period when something or someone is at their best or most relevant.

あの俳優(はいゆう)は今(いま)が旬(しゅん)だ。

That actor is at the peak of his popularity right now.

旬(しゅん)を過(す)ぎた話題(わだい)だ。

It's a topic that's past its prime.

旬(しゅん)の話題(わだい)をいち早(はや)く取(と)り上(あ)げるのがこの番組(ばんぐみ)の特徴(とくちょう)だ。

The hallmark of this show is that it picks up trending topics quickly.

Usage

旬(しゅん) reflects the deep importance of seasonality in Japanese food culture. Eating 旬(しゅん) foods is valued both for taste and for connecting with the seasons. The extended sense 2 (peak of popularity) is common in casual conversation.

Common collocations

旬(しゅん)の食材(しょくざい): seasonal ingredients
旬(しゅん)の魚(さかな): fish in season
旬(しゅん)を迎(むか)える: to come into season
旬(しゅん)が過(す)ぎる: to go out of season; to be past one's peak

Related Words

Compare: 季節外(きせつはず)れ (out of season)

Compare: 出回(でまわ)り (appearance on the market)

Compare: 食(た)べ頃(ごろ) (ready to eat)

Compare: 季節性(きせつせい) (seasonality)

general

Added 2026.2.22 15:21 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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