春季

• Pinyin: chūn jì
• Hanzi breakdown: 春 = 三 (three sprouts) + 日 (sun), depicting plants growing under the sun; 季 = 禾 (grain) + 子 (child), suggesting a period in the agricultural cycle

Meaning

Spring season. The time of year between winter and summer.

A slightly more formal way to say 'spring' compared to the everyday 春天. Commonly used in weather reports, academic terms (春季学期 = spring semester), sports schedules, and official contexts. In China, spring generally covers March to May. Often paired with seasonal activities like planting and travel.

Examples

1. 春季是去南方旅游的最好时间。 Spring is the best time to travel to the south.
2. 学校的春季运动会下个月举行。 The school's spring sports meeting will be held next month.
3. 春季的天气变化很大，要注意穿衣。 The weather changes a lot in spring — pay attention to what you wear.

Usage Guide

Context: weather, seasons, academic

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我们学校春季招生已经开始了。(Our school's spring enrollment has already begun.)
• 春季容易过敏，要多注意。(Allergies are common in spring — be careful.)

Don't Say

• 在日常对话中总用春季代替春天 (In casual conversation, don't always use 春季 when 春天 sounds more natural — 春季 is better for formal or specific contexts)

Origin & History

春 (spring) + 季 (season). 春 originally depicted plants sprouting under the sun, symbolising new growth. 季 means season or period.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal