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冬
On'yomi
トウ
TOU
Kun'yomi
ふゆ
fuyu
winter
powerfulnature
Details
Strokes5
Frequency#1090
Radical冫ice(2)
Stroke Order
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Strokes5
Component Breakdown
冬=
夂⺀
go slowly + ⺀
Cultural Context
Etymology
Shape of ice hanging down. Cold season.
Symbolism
Winter, hibernation, severe winter. Represents cold and silence.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Winter cold
Seasonal
Season from December to February. Symbolizes silence, patience, introspection. Time of snow, New Year, Setsubun. In haiku, expresses dignified beauty.
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
夏炉冬扇
かろとうせん
summer fires and winter fans; useless things; summer fires and winter fans
春夏秋冬
しゅんかしゅうとう
spring, summer, autumn (fall) and winter; the four seasons; spring, summer, autumn (fall) and winter
Proverbs & Idioms
冬来りなば春遠からじ
ふゆきたりなばはるとおからじ
If winter comes, can spring be far behind
After hardship comes relief
Poetry
和歌（百人一首） (Waka (Hyakunin Isshu))
山里は 冬ぞさびしさ まさりける 人めも草も かれぬと思へば
Poem #28 from Hyakunin Isshu
源宗于朝臣Minamoto no Muneyuki
10th century