季節（きせつ、kisetsu）
- season

The Japanese word 季節 きせつ (kisetsu) means "season" or "time of year." It refers to one of the four distinct periods into which a year is divided based on changes in weather, temperature, and natural phenomena. These four 季節s are spring (春 - haru), summer (夏 - natsu), autumn (秋 - aki), and winter (冬 - fuyu). 季節s also relate to specific events, activities, and changes in the environment, like the blooming of cherry blossoms in spring or the falling of leaves in autumn.

⚫︎ 今年の夏はとても暑かったですね。 Translation: This summer was very hot, wasn't it? ⚫︎ 日本の《季節は美しい。》 Translation: The seasons in Japan are beautiful. ⚫︎ 秋の《季節にハイキングに行きたい。》 Translation: I want to go hiking in the autumn season.

⚫︎ Use 季節 to discuss weather, climate, and the natural world. ⚫︎ Use 季節 to talk about specific activities or events associated with a particular time of year. ⚫︎ It is appropriate in both formal and informal conversations.

⚫︎ The standard way to write 季節 is with the kanji 季節, read as きせつ (kisetsu). ⚫︎ The hiragana reading is きせつ. ⚫︎ There are no common variations in okurigana for this word.

There aren't direct synonyms for 季節 in the same way, as it specifically refers to a season. However, you can use related words to convey a similar meaning: ⚫︎ 時期 (jiki) - "time," "period" ⚫︎ 時期 could be used more generally to refer to a time, it does not necessarily relate to the four seasons specifically.

There aren't direct antonyms for 季節. The concept of "no season" is not a direct opposite. The absence of a season is not applicable.

東京の春の《季節は桜が綺麗です。》 ・Translation: The cherry blossoms are beautiful in the spring season in Tokyo. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the beauty of cherry blossoms (sakura) during the spring season in Tokyo, indicating an association between the place and time of year.

あなたはどの《季節が好きですか？》 ・Translation: Which season do you like? ・Explanation: This is a common question to ask someone about their favorite season, allowing them to express their preferences related to weather or activities.

The word 季節 is composed of two kanji: 季 (ki) meaning "season" or "period," and 節 (setsu) meaning "time," "period," or "division." Together, they combine to describe a division of time, particularly the annual cycle of seasons.