1.
midwinter; the dead of winter
The coldest period of winter, typically January and February in Japan.
真冬の寒さは厳しい。
The cold in midwinter is harsh.
真冬でも毎朝ジョギングをしている。
I jog every morning even in the dead of winter.
真冬の北海道では気温がマイナス二十度を下回ることもある。
In midwinter Hokkaido, the temperature can drop below minus twenty degrees.
Composed of 真 (true, peak) + 冬 (winter). The prefix 真 intensifies the noun, indicating the height or peak of the season.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 真冬の寒さ (midwinter cold)
- 真冬の空 (midwinter sky)
- 真冬日和 (fine midwinter day)
- 真冬並みの寒さ (cold like midwinter)
RELATED TERMS:
- 真夏 — midsummer (same 真 prefix pattern)
- 真春 — not commonly used (spring lacks this pattern)
- 厳冬 — severe winter (more formal/literary)
- 冬本番 — peak winter, winter in full swing