Janeiro

Janeiro is the Portuguese word for January, the first month of the year in the Gregorian calendar. The name derives from Latin Ianuarius, which in turn honors Janus, the two‑faced Roman god of beginnings and transitions.

The month typically has 31 days and marks the opening of the annual cycle of dates and seasons. In the Portuguese-speaking world, the timing of January varies with hemisphere: it lies in winter in Portugal and most of Europe, but in midsummer in Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, and other parts of the Southern Hemisphere. This climatic contrast influences cultural practices, holidays, and daily life associated with the month.

Culturally, Janeiro is referenced in calendars, literature, and everyday speech in Portuguese. In Brazil, January is commonly associated with summer weather and vacation periods, whereas in Portugal and northern hemisphere regions, it is linked to winter weather and the start of the post-holiday work routine. The term is also used in compound geographic names and as part of dates in Portuguese, alongside other month names.

Beyond its function as a calendar marker, Janeiro serves as a linguistic element that connects timekeeping with historical and cultural associations tied to the broader concept of the new year. In English-language contexts it corresponds to January; in Latin contexts it aligns with Januarius.