1.
first frost of the season
The first frost that appears in autumn or early winter, marking the transition to cold weather. An important seasonal marker in Japan.
今朝初霜が降りた。
The first frost fell this morning.
初霜の知らせが届くと冬の訪れを感じる。
When news of the first frost arrives, you can feel winter approaching.
初霜が降りる前に庭の植物を室内に入れなければならない。
I need to bring the garden plants indoors before the first frost.
初霜 refers to the first frost of the season, marking the onset of cold weather. Compound of 初 (first) + 霜 (frost).
SEASONAL SIGNIFICANCE:
A 季語 (seasonal word) associated with late autumn in haiku poetry. Weather services report the date of 初霜 each year as a seasonal milestone, and the timing varies by region.
GRAMMAR:
The verb used with frost is 降りる (to descend/fall): 初霜が降りる (the first frost falls).
RELATED SEASONAL FIRSTS:
- 初雪: first snow of the season
- 初氷: first ice of the season
- 初日の出: first sunrise of the new year
PRACTICAL NOTE:
Gardeners pay close attention to 初霜 because frost-sensitive plants must be protected or brought indoors before it arrives.