summer

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 夏 means summer; its kun-reading is なつ, and its on-readings include か and げ.
• Basic usage: 夏 names the season, while 夏休み means summer vacation.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A season and a school break
  • 去年の夏 means last summer. Unlike the seasonal reference, 夏休みの宿題 means homework for the summer break.
  • 夏休み is read なつやすみ, with the kun-reading なつ at the beginning.