1.
autumnal equinox
The time in September when day and night are approximately equal in length, marking the midpoint of autumn.
秋分の日は祝日だ。
The autumnal equinox is a national holiday.
秋分を過ぎると、日が短くなる。
After the autumnal equinox, the days get shorter.
秋分の日は毎年9月22日か23日ごろになる。
The autumnal equinox falls around September 22nd or 23rd every year.
A compound of 秋 (autumn) and 分 (division, equinox). Refers to the astronomical event when the sun crosses the celestial equator heading south.
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
秋分の日 (Autumnal Equinox Day) is a national holiday in Japan. It falls during 秋の彼岸 (the autumn equinox week), when people visit family graves, clean them, and offer {おはぎ} (rice balls coated in sweet bean paste).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 秋分の日 — Autumnal Equinox Day (national holiday)
- 秋分点 — autumnal equinox point (astronomical term)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 春分 — vernal equinox; the spring counterpart
- 彼岸 — equinox week; the Buddhist observance period around each equinox