1.
the four seasons; spring, summer, autumn, and winter
A literary and formal way to refer to all four seasons as a group. Used to express the full cycle of the year and seasonal changes.
日本には春夏秋冬がある。
Japan has four distinct seasons.
春夏秋冬、それぞれの季節に楽しみがある。
Each of the four seasons has its own pleasures.
この庭園は春夏秋冬を通じて美しい景色を見せてくれる。
This garden offers beautiful scenery throughout all four seasons.
USAGE NOTES:
春夏秋冬 is a four-character compound (四字熟語) listing the seasons in order: 春 (spring), 夏 (summer), 秋 (autumn), 冬 (winter). The on'yomi reading gives it a literary, elevated tone.
This expression is often used in contexts emphasizing the beauty and distinctness of Japan's seasonal changes, a recurring theme in Japanese culture.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 春夏秋冬を通じて (throughout all four seasons)
- 春夏秋冬を楽しむ (enjoy all four seasons)
- 春夏秋冬の移り変わり (the changing of the seasons)
The expression 四季 (four seasons) is the more common everyday synonym. 春夏秋冬 sounds more poetic and is preferred in literary, travel, and cultural contexts.