Translation guide
Expresses a particular season, period, or point in the year. Japanese uses specific seasonal words, compound nouns, and contextual phrasing rather than a single direct equivalent.
一番好きな季節はいつですか？
What's your favorite time of year?
今はいい季節ですね。
It's a beautiful time of year.
Referring to a specific season or time characterized by weather, events, or nature.
General word for 'season'. Can be used for the four seasons or any distinct period of the year.
この季節は観光客が多い。
This time of year, there are many tourists.
一番好きな季節は秋です。
My favorite time of year is autumn.
Refers to a specific time or season, often with a nuance of 'the right time' for something.
今はちょうど花見の時季だ。
Now is just the time of year for cherry blossom viewing.
Loanword from English 'season', used for sports, tourism, or specific activities.
スキーシーズンは12月からです。
Ski season (the time of year for skiing) is from December.
Referring to a particular time of year without naming a season, often in relation to events or conditions.
Attach to a noun to mean 'the time/period of ~'. Very common and flexible.
台風の時期は気をつけてください。
Please be careful during typhoon season (the time of year for typhoons).
卒業の時期になると忙しくなる。
It gets busy around graduation time (the time of year for graduation).
Means 'around the time of ~', often used for approximate times of year.
桜の頃にもう一度来たい。
I want to come again around cherry blossom time (that time of year).
Formal/literary term for 'season' or 'time of year', often used in writing.
Referring to a time of year associated with a specific holiday or recurring event.
Used for commercial or event seasons, like Christmas or sales.
クリスマスのシーズンになると街がきれいになる。
The town becomes beautiful during the Christmas season (that time of year).
The New Year holiday period, a culturally significant time of year in Japan.
年末年始は家族と過ごす。
I spend the New Year's holiday (that time of year) with my family.
Indicating the best or typical time to do something.
Means 'a good time to do ~'. Natural way to express suitability.
今はハイキングにいい時期です。
Now is a good time of year for hiking.
Loanword phrase for 'best season' for an activity.
紅葉のベストシーズンは11月です。
The best time of year for autumn leaves is November.
Directly translating 'time of year' as 年の時 (としのとき) is unnatural. Use 季節, 時期, or contextual phrases instead.
At this time of year, it's easy to get sick.