入梅(にゅうばい)

Composed of 入(にゅう) (entering) + 梅(ばい) (plum), short for 梅雨(つゆ) (rainy season). The rainy season is called 梅雨(つゆ) because it coincides with the ripening of plums (梅(うめ)).

Common collocations

• 入梅(にゅうばい)を迎(むか)える: to enter the rainy season
• 入梅(にゅうばい)の時期(じき): the time of rainy season onset
• 入梅(にゅうばい)宣言(せんげん): official rainy season declaration

Similar words

• 梅雨入(つゆい)り: start of the rainy season — the more common everyday expression with the same meaning
• 梅雨明(つゆあ)け: end of the rainy season — the opposite, marking when the rains stop
• 梅雨(つゆ): rainy season — the season itself

Cultural note

The 入梅(にゅうばい) announcement is a major seasonal event in Japan, heavily covered by news media. It typically occurs in early June in the south (Okinawa can be as early as May) and progressively later moving north. Hokkaido generally does not have a distinct rainy season.