1.
cold winter; severe winter
A winter that is notably cold, with temperatures significantly below average.
寒 (cold) + 冬 (winter). A meteorological term used to describe a winter season with temperatures below the seasonal average.
Common collocations
- 寒冬の予報: forecast for a cold winter
- 記録的な寒冬: record cold winter
- 寒冬の影響: effects of the cold winter
- 寒冬少雪: cold winter with little snow
Similar words
- 暖冬: warm winter — the opposite; a winter milder than average
- 厳冬: harsh winter — a more extreme term, implying bitter cold
- 極寒: extreme cold — refers to the temperature itself rather than the season
Usage
Primarily appears in weather forecasts, news reports, and agricultural discussions. The Japan Meteorological Agency classifies winters as 寒冬 (cold), 並冬 (average), or 暖冬 (warm) based on mean temperature deviation.