中秋(ちゅうしゅう)

ちゅうしゅう
noun
mid-autumn; the height of autumn
1. mid-autumn; the height of autumn
The middle of autumn — in the traditional lunar calendar, the 15th day of the 8th month, corresponding to September or early October in the Gregorian calendar. Strongly associated with moon viewing.
中秋(ちゅうしゅう)の月(つき)は特別(とくべつ)に美(うつく)しい。
The mid-autumn moon is especially beautiful.
中秋(ちゅうしゅう)の名月(めいげつ)を家族(かぞく)で楽(たの)しんだ。
We enjoyed the harvest moon as a family.
中秋(ちゅうしゅう)の時期(じき)にはススキと月見団子(つきみだんご)を供(そな)える習慣(しゅうかん)がある。
In mid-autumn there is a custom of offering pampas grass and moon-viewing dumplings.

中(ちゅう) (middle) + 秋(しゅう) (autumn). A largely literary or formal word; the everyday phrase for the season would be 秋(あき)の半(なか)ば.

CULTURAL CONTEXT:
中秋(ちゅうしゅう)節(せつ) ('Mid-Autumn Festival') is observed across East Asia. In Japan, the 中秋(ちゅうしゅう)の名月(めいげつ) (harvest moon) is the centerpiece of 月見(つきみ) (moon viewing), traditionally celebrated with pampas grass (すすき(薄)) and 月見団子(つきみだんご) (round moon-viewing dumplings).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 中秋(ちゅうしゅう)の名月(めいげつ): harvest moon
  • 中秋(ちゅうしゅう)の頃(ころ): around mid-autumn
  • 中秋節(ちゅうしゅうせつ): Mid-Autumn Festival

RELATED:

  • 初秋(しょしゅう): early autumn
  • 晩秋(ばんしゅう): late autumn
  • 仲秋(ちゅうしゅう): alternate writing meaning specifically the 8th lunar month
general
Added 2026.5.15 13:12
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