初霜(はつしも)

初霜(はつしも) refers to the first frost of the season, marking the onset of cold weather. Compound of 初(はつ) (first) + 霜(しも) (frost).

Seasonal significance

A 季語(きご) (seasonal word) associated with late autumn in haiku poetry. Weather services report the date of 初霜(はつしも) each year as a seasonal milestone, and the timing varies by region.

Common patterns

The verb used with frost is 降(お)りる (to descend/fall): 初霜(はつしも)が降(お)りる (the first frost falls).

Related seasonal firsts

• 初雪(はつゆき): first snow of the season
• 初氷(はつごおり): first ice of the season
• 初日(はつひ)の出(で): first sunrise of the new year

Practical note

Gardeners pay close attention to 初霜(はつしも) because frost-sensitive plants must be protected or brought indoors before it arrives.