Polite to Stranger
Cultural · Seasonal
今日は立春ですね。暦の上ではもう春なんですね。 — Today is Risshun, isn't it? According to the calendar, it's already spring. (Cultural · Seasonal, Polite to Stranger, JLPT N4)
You
今日は立春ですね。暦の上ではもう春なんですね。
きょうはりっしゅんですね。こよみのうえではもうはるなんですね。
Today is Risshun, isn't it? According to the calendar, it's already spring.
Romaji: Kyou wa Risshun desu ne. Koyomi no ue de wa mou haru nan desu ne. / Reply Romaji: Sou desu ne. Mada samui kedo, kibun dake demo haru ni naritai desu nee.
Reply
そうですね。まだ寒いけど、気分だけでも春になりたいですねえ。
そうですね。まださむいけど、きぶんだけでもはるになりたいですねえ。
Yes. It's still cold, but I want to feel spring even just in mood.
Gesture & etiquette
Calm, contemplative tone — discussing the calendar invites a moment of reflection. Look toward the window or outdoors as you say it. Small wistful smile at the contrast between the calendar and actual weather. A shared moment of seasonal awareness.
The 24 seasonal divisions (nijuushi sekki) divide the solar year into nearly two-week periods, originating in ancient China and adopted in Japan. Risshun (~February 4) marks the start of spring even when snow is still falling — the day before is Setsubun. Other key sekki: Shunbun (spring equinox, ~March 21), Geshi (summer solstice, ~June 22), Shuubun (autumn equinox, ~September 23), Touji (winter solstice, ~December 22). Mentioning sekki shows cultural literacy.