梅雨

• Reading: つゆ
• Romaji: tsuyu
• Kanji breakdown: 梅 (bai/ume) — plum; 雨 (u/ame) — rain
• Pronunciation: /tsɯ.jɯ/

Meaning

Rainy season; the annual period of heavy rainfall in early summer in Japan.

A noun referring to the East Asian monsoon season, typically lasting from early June to mid-July in most of Japan. Key expressions: 梅雨入り (tsuyu-iri, start of rainy season), 梅雨明け (tsuyu-ake, end of rainy season). The season significantly affects daily life, agriculture, and culture. Can also be read as ばいう (baiu) in more formal or meteorological contexts.

Examples

1. 今年の梅雨は例年より長かった。 This year's rainy season was longer than usual.
2. 梅雨の時期は洗濯物が乾かなくて困る。 During the rainy season, it's a pain because the laundry won't dry.
3. もうすぐ梅雨明けだから夏が楽しみだ。 The rainy season is almost over, so I'm looking forward to summer.

Usage Guide

Context: weather, seasons, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Written with 梅 (plum) and 雨 (rain) because the rainy season coincides with the ripening of Japanese plums (ume). The reading つゆ may derive from 露 (tsuyu, dew), reflecting the constant moisture.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal