霜
frost
Details
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
rain + 相
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of rain and mutual. Rain falling mutually becoming frost.
Symbolism
Frost, falling frost, white frost. Represents frost.
Seasonal
Represents late autumn to early winter October to November. Frost tells of seasonal change. Winter seasonal word in haiku.
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
秋霜烈日
しゅうそうれつじつ
harshness; severity; harshness
Proverbs & Idioms
霜降りの季節
しもふりのきせつ
The frosty season
Late autumn when frost begins to fall
Poetry
かささぎの 渡せる橋に おく霜の 白きを見れば 夜ぞふけにける
Poem #6 from Hyakunin Isshu
心あてに 折らばや折らむ 初霜の おきまどはせる 白菊の花
Poem #29 from Hyakunin Isshu
きりぎりす 鳴くや霜夜の さむしろに 衣かたしき ひとりかも寝む
Poem #91 from Hyakunin Isshu
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 霜 mean in Japanese?
霜 means frost.
How do you read 霜?
On'yomi: ソウ (SOU). Kun'yomi: しも (shimo).
How many strokes does 霜 have?
霜 has 17 strokes. Its radical is 雨 (rain).
Is 霜 a good kanji for a tattoo?
Yes. 霜 (frost) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.