春
はる · haru · JLPT N5 · noun
spring
🌸 haru: buds haru (張る) = swell out, so spring is the swelling season
One common etymology ties はる to the verb 張る (haru, to swell or stretch): buds swell in spring. Another links it to 晴る (to clear up), as skies clear after winter. Sound hook: haru sounds like ha-roo, a cheer for warm weather.