1.
large snowflakes; wet snow falling in clumps
Large, fluffy snowflakes that cluster together and fall slowly, resembling peony petals. This type of snow typically occurs when the temperature is near freezing.
牡丹雪が静かに降っている。
Large snowflakes are falling quietly.
窓の外には牡丹雪が舞っていた。
Outside the window, large snowflakes were dancing in the air.
夕方から牡丹雪に変わり、あっという間に積もり始めた。
In the evening it changed to large wet snowflakes, and before long the snow started piling up.
Named after the 牡丹 (peony) flower because the large, clumped snowflakes resemble peony petals. This is a poetic and evocative weather term.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 牡丹雪が降る (large snowflakes fall)
- 牡丹雪が舞う (large snowflakes dance)
USAGE NOTE:
牡丹雪 is wet and heavy compared to 粉雪 (powder snow), which is dry and fine. 牡丹雪 typically falls when temperatures are close to 0°C, so it melts quickly on the ground.