Translation guide
The twelfth month of the traditional Japanese lunar calendar, roughly corresponding to late December to early February in the Gregorian calendar. It is associated with the end of winter and preparations for the New Year.
師走
twelfth month of the lunar calendar
Most common traditional name; also used poetically for December.
Referring to the final month of the traditional lunar year, often in historical, literary, or cultural contexts.
The most common Japanese name for the twelfth month of the lunar calendar. It is still used today to refer to December in a poetic or traditional sense, evoking the busy end-of-year period.
師走に入り、町は新年の準備で賑わっている。
As we enter the twelfth month, the town is bustling with New Year preparations.
A literary term for the twelfth month, meaning 'the final month'. Less common than 師走, but used in classical contexts.
In everyday conversation, Japanese people use the Gregorian calendar months (一月, 二月, etc.). The traditional names like 師走 are mainly used in literature, poetry, or when discussing the old calendar. If you simply want to say 'December', use 十二月 (じゅうにがつ).
The cold of the final month pierces the body.
Literally 'twelfth month'. In modern Japanese, this refers to December in the Gregorian calendar, but in historical contexts it can refer to the lunar twelfth month.
旧暦の十二月は今の一月から二月にあたる。
The twelfth month of the old calendar corresponds to January to February now.