1.
start of autumn; first day of autumn
one of the 24 solar terms (二十四節気) in the traditional East Asian calendar, marking the beginning of autumn, usually falling around August 7-8
今年の立秋は八月七日だ。
This year's start of autumn is August 7th.
立秋を過ぎても、まだ暑い日が続いている。
Even after the start of autumn, hot days continue.
立秋を過ぎると暑中見舞いではなく残暑見舞いになるので、時期に気をつけよう。
After the start of autumn, summer greetings change from 'mid-summer greetings' to 'lingering heat greetings,' so pay attention to the timing.
One of the 二十四節気 (24 solar terms) used in the traditional calendar. Despite the name, 立秋 falls in early August when temperatures are still at their peak in Japan, so it marks the calendrical rather than the meteorological start of autumn.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 立秋を迎える: to reach the start of autumn
- 立秋を過ぎる: to pass the start of autumn
- 立秋の候: seasonal greeting phrase used around this time
CULTURAL NOTE:
立秋 has practical significance for seasonal greetings. Before 立秋, summer greeting cards are called 暑中見舞い. After 立秋, they must be called 残暑見舞い instead. Sending the wrong type is considered a social faux pas.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 立春: start of spring (around February 4)
- 立夏: start of summer (around May 6)
- 立冬: start of winter (around November 7)