1.
early spring; beginning of spring
The early part of the spring season, roughly February to March, when the first signs of warmer weather appear.
初春の風がここちよい。
The early spring breeze feels pleasant.
初春の候、梅の花がほころび始めた。
In the early spring season, plum blossoms have begun to open.
初春のころは朝晩まだ冷え込むので、暖かい服装を心がけてください。
In early spring it's still cold mornings and evenings, so please dress warmly.
2.
New Year; the first month of the year
A formal reference to the New Year period, reflecting the traditional calendar in which spring and the new year coincided. Used in seasonal greetings and letters.
初春のお慶びを申し上げます。
I extend my congratulations on the New Year.
初春を祝う行事が各地で行われた。
New Year celebrations were held in various places.
初春の挨拶として、年賀状に一言添えるのが日本の習慣です。
It is a Japanese custom to add a word of New Year greeting to New Year's cards.
A seasonal word with two related meanings. Combines 初 (first, beginning) and 春 (spring).
USAGE:
- Sense 1 refers to the early part of the spring season (roughly February to March)
- Sense 2 is used in formal greetings for the New Year, reflecting the traditional calendar where the new year began in spring
- Can also be read はつはる, especially in poetry and traditional contexts, where it more strongly evokes New Year
- Common in formal letters, seasonal greetings, and literary writing
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 初春の候: early spring season (formal letter opening)
- 初春のお慶び: New Year congratulations
- 初春の光: light of early spring
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 早春: early spring — similar meaning but without the New Year connotation
- 新春: new spring, New Year — more focused on the New Year meaning
- 立春: first day of spring — a specific date in the traditional calendar (around February 4)