Definition
The season of summer; the hottest part of the year, between spring and autumn.
Example
今年の夏は海外へ行きたいです。
Show translation
This summer, I want to go abroad.
Etymology
From Old Japanese *natu. The kanji 夏 is shared with Chinese (夏 xià), meaning "summer," and is also associated with the ancient Chinese Xia dynasty. The character depicts a person in ceremonial dress, originally linked to grand summer rituals.
Cultural note
Summer (夏, natsu) is an intensely cultural season in Japan. It brings matsuri (summer festivals) with fireworks (花火, hanabi), the Obon holiday when ancestors' spirits are welcomed home, and the famous kakigōri (shaved ice). School students enjoy a long summer break, and the piercing sound of semi (cicadas) is so iconic that it has become a literary symbol of summer itself. The phrase "夏休み" (natsu yasumi, summer vacation) carries a nostalgic warmth for most Japanese people.