1.
busy farming season; peak agricultural period
The time of year when farming work is most intensive, particularly during planting (spring) and harvesting (autumn). The opposite of 農閑期 (slack farming season).
農繁期は人手が足りない。
There aren't enough workers during the busy farming season.
農繁期には朝から晩まで田んぼで働く。
During the busy farming season, we work in the rice paddies from morning to night.
かつては農繁期になると学校を休む子どもも多かった。
In the past, many children would miss school during the busy farming season.
Compound of 農 (agriculture) + 繁 (busy/flourishing) + 期 (period). In Japan, the main 農繁期 periods are spring (田植え, rice planting) and autumn (稲刈り, rice harvesting). Historically, school schedules and local events were arranged around these periods.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 農繁期に入る: to enter the busy farming season
- 農繁期の手伝い: helping during busy farming season
- 農繁期休暇: farming season leave (historically given to school children)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 農閑期: slack farming season — the opposite, the quiet period between planting and harvesting
- 繁忙期: busy season — a general term for any industry's peak period, not limited to farming
- 収穫期: harvest season — specifically the autumn harvest period