(りっとう)

りっとう
noun
start of winter; first day of winter
1. start of winter; first day of winter
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 winter, usually falling around November 7-8
立冬(りっとう)()ぎると朝晩(あさばん)()()む。
After the start of winter, mornings and evenings become quite cold.
立冬(りっとう)()鍋料理(なべりょうり)()べるのが()()恒例(こうれい)だ。
Eating hot pot on the first day of winter is a tradition in our family.
(こよみ)(うえ)では立冬(りっとう)(むか)えたが、今年(ことし)はまだ(あたた)かい()(つづ)いている。
On the calendar we've reached the start of winter, but this year warm days still continue.

One of the 二十四節気(にじゅうしせっき) (24 solar terms). Falls around November 7-8, marking the calendrical start of winter. Like 立秋(りっしゅう), the actual weather may not yet feel wintry at this time. The phrase (こよみ)(うえ)では (according to the calendar) is often used to acknowledge the gap between the calendar date and actual weather.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 立冬(りっとう)(むか)える: to reach the start of winter
  • 立冬(りっとう)()ぎる: to pass the start of winter
  • 立冬(りっとう)(こう): seasonal greeting phrase for this time of year
  • (こよみ)(うえ)では立冬(りっとう): calendrically it is the start of winter

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 立春(りっしゅん): start of spring (around February 4)
  • 立夏(りっか): start of summer (around May 6)
  • 立秋(りっしゅう): start of autumn (around August 7)
  • 冬至(とうじ): winter solstice — the shortest day of the year, distinct from the start of winter