1.
start of the rainy season; onset of tsuyu
The official beginning of the rainy season (梅雨) in Japan, typically announced by the Japan Meteorological Agency around early to mid June. Marks the transition into weeks of frequent rain.
今年の入梅は例年より早かった。
The start of the rainy season was earlier than usual this year.
気象庁が入梅を発表した。
The Japan Meteorological Agency announced the start of the rainy season.
入梅を迎えると洗濯物が乾きにくくなるので、除湿機を準備しておいたほうがいい。
Once the rainy season starts, laundry has trouble drying, so you should have a dehumidifier ready.
Composed of 入 (entering) + 梅 (plum), short for 梅雨 (rainy season). The rainy season is called 梅雨 because it coincides with the ripening of plums (梅).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 入梅を迎える: to enter the rainy season
- 入梅の時期: the time of rainy season onset
- 入梅宣言: official rainy season declaration
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 梅雨入り: start of the rainy season — the more common everyday expression with the same meaning
- 梅雨明け: end of the rainy season — the opposite, marking when the rains stop
- 梅雨: rainy season — the season itself
CULTURAL NOTE:
The 入梅 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.