Learn Japanese while reading Manga with our new Manga Reader Tool!

Nihongo

Classroom

How to say 'Early summer' in Japanese | 初夏

Wondering how to say 'Early summer' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for Early summer is 'Shoka', written as 初夏 in Japanese.'Early summer' in hiragana is しょか.

    word

    初夏

    Meaning

    Early summer

    Reading

    しょか

    shoka

    Kanji

    初Beginning, First 夏Summer

    Explanation

    The Japanese noun '初夏 (しょか)' refers to the period of early summer, typically around the months of May and June. This term is often used to describe the transitional season when the weather starts to warm up, but the intense heat of mid-summer has not yet arrived. It is commonly used in literature, poetry, and everyday conversation to evoke the freshness and vitality of this time of year. For example: Early summer is the best time to visit Kyoto「初夏は京都を訪れるのに最適な時期です」(しょかはきょうとをおとずれるのにもってこいのじきです). The early summer breeze feels refreshing「初夏の風が爽やかです」(しょかのかぜがさわやかです).

    Part Of Speech

    noun

    Kanji JLPT

    N3

    Kanji Grade

    4

    Frequency

    2634

    Composition

    kanji

    Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 初夏

This word contains 2 kanji characters:

  • kanji

    初

    Meaning

    Beginning, First

  • kanji

    夏

    Meaning

    Summer

Words Related to 初夏 Through the Kanji 初

These 14 Words contain the Kanji 初 as well.

  • word

    最初

    Meaning

    Beginning

  • word

    初めて

    Meaning

    First

  • word

    初め

    Meaning

    Beginning

  • word

    初期

    Meaning

    Early, Initial

  • word

    当初

    Meaning

    Beginning

  • word

    初

    Meaning

    First

  • word

    初日

    Meaning

    First day

  • word

    初歩

    Meaning

    Basics

  • word

    初心

    Meaning

    Beginner

  • word

    初級

    Meaning

    Beginner

  • word

    月初め

    Meaning

    Start

  • word

    初代

    Meaning

    First generation

  • word

    初恋

    Meaning

    First love

  • word

    初詣で

    Meaning

    First shrine visit

Words Related to 初夏 Through the Kanji 夏

These 4 Words contain the Kanji 夏 as well.

  • word

    夏

    Meaning

    Summer

  • word

    春夏秋冬

    Meaning

    Seasons

  • word

    真夏

    Meaning

    Midsummer

  • word

    夏休み

    Meaning

    Summer vacation

Learn the Word 初夏

Let's make sure you fully understand this word.

What does 'Shoka' (初夏) mean?

'Shoka' means 'Early summer' .

To help you master this word, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.