立秋(りっしゅう)

りっしゅう
noun
start of autumn; first day of autumn
time-season
1. start of autumn; first day of autumn
one of the 24 solar terms (二十四節気(にじゅうしせっき)) in the traditional East Asian calendar, marking the beginning of autumn, usually falling around August 7-8
今年(ことし)の立秋(りっしゅう)は八月(はちがつ)七日(なのか)だ。
This year's start of autumn is August 7th.
立秋(りっしゅう)を過(す)ぎても、まだ暑(あつ)い日(ひ)が続(つづ)いている。
Even after the start of autumn, hot days continue.
立秋(りっしゅう)を過(す)ぎると暑中見舞(しょちゅうみま)いではなく残暑見舞(ざんしょみま)いになるので、時期(じき)に気(き)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(にじゅうしせっき) (24 solar terms) used in the traditional calendar. Despite the name, 立秋(りっしゅう) 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(りっしゅう)を迎(むか)える: to reach the start of autumn
  • 立秋(りっしゅう)を過(す)ぎる: to pass the start of autumn
  • 立秋(りっしゅう)の候(こう): seasonal greeting phrase used around this time

Cultural note

立秋(りっしゅう) has practical significance for seasonal greetings. Before 立秋(りっしゅう), summer greeting cards are called 暑中見舞(しょちゅうみま)い. After 立秋(りっしゅう), they must be called 残暑見舞(ざんしょみま)い instead. Sending the wrong type is considered a social faux pas.

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 立春(りっしゅん) (start of spring)
Compare: 立夏(りっか) (start of summer)
Compare: 立冬(りっとう) (start of winter)
Related: 初秋(しょしゅう) (early autumn)
general
Added 2026.5.1 0:22 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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