(げし)

げし
noun
summer solstice
1. summer solstice
The day of the year with the longest period of daylight, occurring around June 21 in the Northern Hemisphere.
夏至(げし)六月(ろくがつ)にある。
The summer solstice is in June.
夏至(げし)()一年(いちねん)一番(いちばん)(ひる)(なが)い。
The summer solstice has the longest daytime of the year.
夏至(げし)()ぎると(すこ)しずつ()(みじか)くなっていく。
After the summer solstice, the days gradually get shorter.

The summer solstice, one of the 24 solar terms (二十四節気(にじゅうしせっき)) in the traditional East Asian calendar. It falls around June 21 each year.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 夏至(げし)() — the day of the summer solstice
  • 夏至(げし)(むか)える — to reach the summer solstice
  • 夏至(げし)()ぎる — to pass the summer solstice

RELATED TERMS:

  • 冬至(とうじ) — winter solstice (opposite season)
  • 春分(しゅんぶん) — vernal equinox
  • 秋分(しゅうぶん) — autumnal equinox

CULTURAL NOTE:
Unlike the winter solstice, which has strong food traditions (冬至(とうじ) pumpkin, 柚子湯(ゆずゆ)), the summer solstice has fewer widespread customs in Japan, though some regions celebrate with specific local foods.