1.
start of summer; beginning of summer (solar term)
One of the 24 solar terms (二十四節気) in the traditional East Asian calendar. Falls around May 5-6 in the modern calendar, marking the traditional beginning of summer.
今日は立夏だ。
Today is the start of summer.
立夏を過ぎると日差しが強くなる。
After the start of summer, the sunlight gets stronger.
暦の上では立夏を迎えたが、まだ肌寒い日が続いている。
Although the calendar says summer has begun, the chilly days continue.
One of the 24 solar terms (二十四節気) that divide the year based on the sun's position. 立夏 falls around May 5-6 each year and marks the traditional beginning of summer, though actual temperatures in Japan at this time are still mild.
THE FOUR "BEGINNING" SOLAR TERMS:
- 立春: start of spring (~February 4)
- 立夏: start of summer (~May 5)
- 立秋: start of autumn (~August 7)
- 立冬: start of winter (~November 7)
FORMATION:
立 (to stand, to begin) + 夏 (summer)
USAGE:
Often appears in weather forecasts and seasonal greetings. The phrase 暦の上では立夏 ("according to the calendar it's the start of summer") acknowledges that the astronomical date doesn't always match actual weather conditions.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 立夏を迎える: to reach the start of summer
- 立夏の候: seasonal greeting for early May