Lesson 3: Seasons & Climate (季節)
Learn how to talk about seasons, weather, and express preferences for different seasons.
In this lesson, you will learn how to describe seasonal characteristics in different countries, talk about weather changes, express your favorite season and reasons, and understand cultural aspects of Japan's seasons.
Key topics:
- ・Describing seasons and weather (どんなきせつがありますか?)
- ・Expressing weather changes with ___くなります／ __ になります
- ・Talking about favorite seasons and reasons
- ・Using いちばん for superlatives
- ・Expressing likes/dislikes with ___のがすきです／にがてです
- ・Giving reasons with ___から
- ・Giving examples with ___や and ___とか
- ・Understanding Japan's seasonal culture
Vocabulary
1
ふる
furu
降る
to fall (rain / snow, etc.)
Example
ふゆはよくゆきが降ります.
Fuyu wa yoku yuki ga furimasu.
In winter, it often snows.
2
さく
saku
咲く
to bloom
Example
はなが咲きます.
Hana ga sakimasu.
Flowers bloom.
3
なく
naku
鳴く
to sing / to make a sound
Example
とりがあさに鳴きます.
Tori ga asa ni nakimasu.
Birds sing in the morning.
4
なる
naru
成る
to be (e.g. on holiday)
Example
はるになります.
Haru ni narimasu.
It becomes spring.
5
きせつ
kisetsu
季節
season
Example
まいとし季節がかわります.
Maitoshi kisetsu ga kawarimasu.
The seasons change every year.
6
はる
haru
春
spring
Example
春にはながさきます.
Haru ni hana ga sakimasu.
Flowers bloom in spring.
7
なつ
natsu
夏
summer
Example
夏にうみへいきます.
Natsu ni umi e ikimasu.
In summer, I go to the sea.
8
あき
aki
秋
autumn / fall
Example
秋にもみじをみます.
Aki ni momiji o mimasu.
In autumn, I see autumn leaves.
9
ふゆ
fuyu
冬
winter
Example
冬にスキーをします.
Fuyu ni sukī o shimasu.
In winter, I ski.
10
つゆ
tsuyu
梅雨
rainy season
Example
梅雨がはじまります.
Tsuyu ga hajimarimasu.
The rainy season begins.
11
うき
uki
雨季
rainy season
Example
雨季にたくさんあめがふります.
Uki ni takusan ame ga furimasu.
A lot of rain falls in the rainy season.
12
かんき
kanki
乾季
dry season
Example
乾季にりょこうにいきます.
Kanki ni ryokō ni ikimasu.
I go on a trip in the dry season.
13
しき
shiki
四季
four seasons
Example
四季をたのしみます.
Shiki o tanoshimimasu.
I enjoy the four seasons.
14
あめ
ame
雨
rain
Example
雨のひはバスにのります.
Ame no hi wa basu ni norimasu.
On rainy days, I take the bus.
15
ゆき
yuki
雪
snow
Example
雪のひはいえにいます.
Yuki no hi wa ie ni imasu.
On snowy days, I stay home.
16
さくら
sakura
桜
cherry blossom / cherry tree
Example
はるに桜をみにいきます.
Haru ni sakura o mi ni ikimasu.
In spring, I go to see cherry blossoms.
17
はな
hana
花
flower
Example
花にみずをやります.
Hana ni mizu o yarimasu.
I water the flowers.
18
もみじ
momiji
紅葉
autumn leaves
Example
紅葉をみにいきます.
Momiji o mi ni ikimasu.
I go to see autumn leaves.
19
セミ
semi
-
cicada
Example
なつにセミのこえをききます.
Natsu ni semi no koe o kikimasu.
In summer, I hear cicadas.
20
がっこう
gakkō
学校
school
Example
学校でべんきょうします.
Gakkō de benkyō shimasu.
I study at school.
21
いちねんじゅう
ichinenjū
一年中
all year round
Example
一年中はたらきます.
Ichinenjū hatarakimasu.
I work all year round.
22
__ ど
do
度
__ degree(s) (40 degrees)
Example
きおんが30度になりました.
Kion ga sanjū do ni narimashita.
The temperature became 30 degrees.
23
あつい
atsui
暑い
hot
Example
暑いひはつめたいのみものをのみます.
Atsui hi wa tsumetai nomimono o nomimasu.
On hot days, I drink cold drinks.
24
さむい
samui
寒い
cold
Example
寒いひにココアをのみます.
Samui hi ni kokoa o nomimasu.
On cold days, I drink cocoa.
25
すずしい
suzushii
涼しい
cool
Example
涼しいよるにさんぽします.
Suzushii yoru ni sanpo shimasu.
I take a walk on cool nights.
26
あたたかい
atatakai
暖かい
warm
Example
春はあたたかいです.
Haru wa atatakai desu.
Spring is warm.
27
じめじめする
jimejime suru
-
hot and humid
Example
じめじめするひはせんぷうきをつかいます.
Jimejime suru hi wa senpūki o tsukaimasu.
On hot and humid days, I use a fan.
28
むしあつい
mushiatsui
蒸し暑い
hot and humid
Example
蒸し暑いよるはまどをあけます.
Mushiatsui yoru wa mado o akemasu.
On hot and humid nights, I open the window.
29
ながい
nagai
長い
long
Example
長いじかんべんきょうします.
Nagai jikan benkyō shimasu.
I study for a long time.
30
みじかい
mijikai
短い
short
Example
短いじかんでおわります.
Mijikai jikan de owarimasu.
I finish in a short time.
31
おなじ
onaji
同じ
same
Example
同じふくをきます.
Onaji fuku o kimasu.
I wear the same clothes.
32
たくさん
takusan
-
many / much
Example
ほんをたくさんよみます.
Hon o takusan yomimasu.
I read many books.
33
ずっと
zutto
-
the whole time
Example
ずっとまちます.
Zutto machimasu.
I wait the whole time.
Conversation
1
どんなきせつがある？
Donna kisetsu ga aru?
What seasons are there?
Example Usage
はる、なつ、あき、ふゆのしきがあります.
Haru, natsu, aki, fuyu no shiki ga arimasu.
There are four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
2
すきなきせつは？
Suki na kisetsu wa?
Favorite season?
Example Usage
あきがすきです.
Aki ga suki desu.
I like autumn.
3
どうして？
Dōshite?
Why?
Example Usage
もみじがきれいだからです.
Momiji ga kirei dakara desu.
Because the autumn leaves are beautiful.
4
__ のがすき／にがて
no ga suki / nigate
I like / don't like __
Example Usage
あついのがすきです.さむいのにがてです.
Atsui no ga suki desu. Samui no ga nigate desu.
I like hot weather. I don't like cold weather.
5
__ から
kara
because __
Example Usage
なつがすきです.あついのがだいすきだからです.
Natsu ga suki desu. Atsui no ga daisuki dakara desu.
I like summer because I love hot weather.
6
__ や __
ya __
things like __ and __
Example Usage
うみややまであそぶのがすきです.
Umi ya yama de asobu no ga suki desu.
I like playing at places like the sea and mountains.
Kanji
1
春
spring
春🎬
spring
Example
春にはながさきます.
Haru ni hana ga sakimasu.
Flowers bloom in spring.
2
夏
summer
夏🎬
summer
Example
夏にうみへいきます.
Natsu ni umi e ikimasu.
In summer, I go to the sea.
3
秋
autumn
秋🎬
autumn
Example
秋にもみじをみます.
Aki ni momiji o mimasu.
In autumn, I see autumn leaves.
4
冬
winter
冬🎬
winter
Example
冬にスキーをします.
Fuyu ni sukī o shimasu.
In winter, I ski.
5
季節
season
季🎬
season
節🎬
section, period
Example
まいとし季節がかわります.
Maitoshi kisetsu ga kawarimasu.
The seasons change every year.
6
暑い
hot (weather)
暑🎬
hot
Example
暑いひはつめたいのみものをのみます.
Atsui hi wa tsumetai nomimono o nomimasu.
On hot days, I drink cold drinks.
7
寒い
cold
寒🎬
cold
Example
寒いひにココアをのみます.
Samui hi ni kokoa o nomimasu.
On cold days, I drink cocoa.
8
花
flower
花🎬
flower
Example
花にみずをやります.
Hana ni mizu o yarimasu.
I water the flowers.
9
雨
rain
雨🎬
rain
Example
雨のひはバスにのります.
Ame no hi wa basu ni norimasu.
On rainy days, I take the bus.
10
雪
snow
雪🎬
snow
Example
雪のひはいえにいます.
Yuki no hi wa ie ni imasu.
On snowy days, I stay home.
Grammar Rules
Rule 1: Saying something becomes something
Structure: N + に + なります / ナA + に + なります / イA(-い) + く + なります
なります (なる) indicates change. It is used to express climate changes and other changes over time. The form ～になります is used for nouns and ナ-adjectives. For イ-adjectives, change the final い to く to make ～くなります.
How to use: Use N + に + なります, ナA + に + なります, and イA(-い) + く + なります. The question form is ～になりますか？ The negative is ～になりません, and the past is ～になりました. Examples: 暖かい→暖かくなります, すずしい→すずしくなります, 休み→休みになります.
💡 Pro Tip: なります shows a change over time, while です describes a current state. Do not say 暖かいになります; the correct form is 暖かくなります. Nouns and ナ-adjectives take に, but イ-adjectives take く.
| Type | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | N + に + なります | 休みになります |
| ナA | ナA + に + なります | きれいになります |
| イA | イA(-い) + く + なります | 暖かくなります |
Examples
春はさくらの花がさききます.暖かくなります.
Haru wa sakura no hana ga sakimasu. Atatakaku narimasu.
→ In spring, cherry blossoms bloom, and it starts to get warmer.
秋になって、すずしくなりました.
Aki ni natte, suzushiku narimashita.
→ It became cool in autumn.
Rule 2: Saying something is the most
Structure: いちばん + [Adjective]
This expression is used to say that something is of the highest degree. It is used here to show that among several seasons, autumn is the one the speaker likes best. いちばん is added in front of the adjective.
How to use: Place いちばん before a ナA + です or an イA + いです. The question form is 何がいちばん～ですか？ or いつがいちばん～ですか？ The negative can be いちばん～じゃないです, though it is less common. The past is いちばん～でした or いちばん～かったです.
💡 Pro Tip: いちばん is superlative, while より means「 than" in comparisons. Do not put いちばん after the adjective. 秋がいちばん好きです is natural; 秋が好きがいちばん is wrong.
Examples
秋がいちばん好きです.
Aki ga ichiban suki desu.
→ I like fall the best.
この店のラーメンがいちばんおいしいです.
Kono mise no rāmen ga ichiban oishii desu.
→ The ramen at this shop is the most delicious.
Rule 3: Saying what kind of thing you like or dislike
Structure: イA(-い) + の + が + 好きです / く手です
This expression is for talking about what you like or dislike. It is used here to describe the kind of weather one likes or dislikes. の is added to an イ-adjective to say 暑いのが好きです or 寒いのがく手です.
How to use: Use イA + のが好きです or イA + のがく手です. The negative is ～のは好きじゃないです or ～のは好きじゃありません. The question form is ～のが好きですか？ or ～のがく手ですか？ In casual speech, ～のが好きだ and ～のがく手だ are used.
💡 Pro Tip: Use が, not を, with 好き and く手. の turns the adjective into a noun-like phrase. 好きじゃないです is softer than 嫌いです, and く手です can mean both「 dislike" and「 not good at."
Examples
わたしは暑いのが好きです.寒いのがく手です.
Watashi wa atsui no ga suki desu. Samui no ga nigate desu.
→ I like hot weather. I am not good with cold weather.
甘いのが好きです.辛いのがく手です.
Amai no ga suki desu. Karai no ga nigate desu.
→ I like sweet things. I don't like spicy things.
Rule 4: Giving a reason
Structure: S1 + から、S2 / N + です + から / ナA + です + から / イA + いです + から / V-ます + から
から is added at the end of a sentence to indicate the reason. In もみじのけいいろがきれいですから, it gives the reason why the person likes autumn. から can also connect one sentence to another: S1 gives the reason for S2. The forms are nounです＋から, adjectiveです＋から, and verbます＋から.
How to use: Use [Reason] + から, [Result]. You can also put the reason at the end: [Result]. [Reason] + から. For polite forms, use N + です + から, ナA + です + から, イA + いです + から, and V-ます + から. The question form is どうしてですか？ The negative reason can be ～ませんから.
💡 Pro Tip: から states a reason directly, while ので is softer and more polite. Do not confuse sentence-final から meaning「 because" with から meaning「 from." In casual speech, から often follows the plain form.
Examples
秋が好きです.もみじのけいいろがきれいですから.
Aki ga suki desu. Momiji no keshiki ga kirei desu kara.
→ I like fall because the maple scenery is beautiful.
日本語を勉強していますから、毎日れんしゅうします.
Nihongo o benkyō shite imasu kara, mainichi renshū shimasu.
→ Because I am studying Japanese, I practice every day.
Rule 5: Listing examples with and
Structure: N1 + や + N2 + （など）
The particle や connects one noun to another in the same way as と. The difference is that や is used to give examples, not a complete list. In うみや山でゆうぶのも楽しいです, the person may also have fun in rivers and forests, but the seas and mountains are given as typical examples. など can be added after N2 to say N1やN2など.
How to use: Use N1 + や + N2. Add など after N2 for「 etc.": N1 + や + N2 + など. It is used with nouns, not clauses. The question form depends on the verb, such as 何や何がありますか？ The negative can be N1やN2はありません.
💡 Pro Tip: と lists items exhaustively, while や lists examples and implies there may be more. Do not use や to connect clauses. など makes the「 and so on" meaning clearer.
Examples
うみや山でゆうぶのも楽しいです.
Umi ya yama de asobu no mo tanoshii desu.
→ Playing in the ocean and mountains is also fun.
休みの日は、本や映画などを楽しみます.
Yasumi no hi wa, hon ya eiga nado o tanoshimimasu.
→ On days off, I enjoy things like books and movies.
Rule 6: Listing examples casually
Structure: N1 + とか + （N2 + とか）
This expression is for giving examples. It is used here to give examples of delicious fruits in autumn. とか can be used even when giving just one example; in that case, the expression becomes N1とか. It is more colloquial than や and is often used in spoken language. It can be used in the middle or at the end of sentences.
How to use: Use N1 + とか, or N1 + とか + N2 + とか. It can end a sentence: ぶどうとかなしとか. It can also be used in the middle: ぶどうとかなしとかが好きです. It is common in casual speech. The question form can be どんな～が好きですか？
💡 Pro Tip: とか is casual and conversational, while や is more neutral. Do not use とか in formal writing. It implies「 and such" or「 for example." Even one とか can give an example without listing everything.
Examples
秋は果物がおいしいですよね.ぶどうとかなしとか.
Aki wa kudamono ga oishii desu yo ne. Budō toka nashi toka.
→ Fruits are delicious in fall, like grapes and pears.
好きなスポーツは、スキーとかスケートとかです.
Suki na supōtsu wa, sukī toka sukēto toka desu.
→ My favorite sports are things like skiing and skating.
Exercises
Question 1: 'It will get warm.'
あたたか ______.
Question 2: Which is correct for 'It will get hot.'?
Question 3: 'It will soon be summer vacation.'
もうすぐ なつやすみ ______.
Question 4: Which is correct for 'It became cool.'?
Question 5: Which is correct for 'In spring, it becomes warm.'?
Question 6: 'I like fall the best.'
あき ______ いちばん すきです.
Question 7: How do you ask 'Which season do you like the best?'
Question 8: 'The ramen at this shop is the most delicious.'
このみせの ラーメン ______ いちばん おいしいです.
Question 9: Which is correct for 'I like hot weather.'?
Question 10: 'I am not good with cold weather.'
さむい ______ にがてです.
Question 11: Which is correct for 'I like sweet things.'?
Question 12: Which is correct for 'I like fall. Because the maple scenery is beautiful.'?
Question 13: 'It's raining, so let's watch a movie at home.'
あめがふっています ______、うちで えいがを みましょう.
Question 14: How do you ask 'Why?'
Question 15: What does 'うみややまであそびます' mean?
Question 16: 'On days off, I enjoy things like books and movies.'
やすみのひは、ほん ______ えいが ______ をたのしみます.