初夏

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 初夏 is read しょか.
• Basic usage: It refers to early summer, when spring has passed and summer is beginning.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Modifying a noun
  • In 初夏の風, の links early summer to the thing or phenomenon being modified.
• Change of season
  • 初夏になる expresses the season reaching early summer.