How to Talk About the Weather in Japanese Like a Native

Ever found yourself captivated by a Japanese weather forecast but unable to understand a word? Or perhaps you’re planning a trip to Japan and want to be prepared for any climate conversation that might arise? Learning how to discuss weather in Japanese isn’t just practical—it’s your gateway to countless authentic conversations with locals.

From the cherry blossom season’s gentle rains to winter’s heavy snowfall in Hokkaido, Japan’s diverse climate creates perfect opportunities to practice weather-related Japanese vocabulary in real-life situations. This comprehensive guide will equip you with everything you need to discuss, understand, and even predict the weather—all in Japanese!

Why Learning Weather Vocabulary in Japanese Matters

Weather talk isn’t just small talk in Japan—it’s a cultural cornerstone. The Japanese connection to seasons runs deep, influencing everything from food and festivals to poetry and art. Understanding weather in Japanese allows you to:

• Connect with locals through universally relatable conversation starters
• Navigate travel plans with greater confidence and independence
• Appreciate cultural contexts behind seasonal references in literature and media
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity through awareness of weather’s importance in daily life

Whether you’re watching the news in a Tokyo hotel room or chatting with a shopkeeper in Kyoto, weather vocabulary in Japanese will serve you countless times each day.

Essential Weather Terms Every Japanese Learner Should Know

Basic Weather Conditions in Japanese

Let’s start with fundamental terms to describe weather in Japanese that you’ll use almost daily:

These core terms form the foundation of most weather conversations in Japanese. Practice them first before moving to more specific vocabulary.

Weather Intensity and Variations

Japanese weather vocabulary is remarkably nuanced, especially when describing precipitation:

Rain Variations

• 小雨 (kosame) – light rain/drizzle
• 大雨 (ōame) – heavy rain
• 土砂降り (doshaburi) – pouring rain
• 通り雨 (tōriame) – passing shower
• 春雨 (harusame) – spring rain
• 梅雨 (tsuyu) – rainy season

Example usage: 今日は小雨が降っています。 Kyō wa kosame ga futte imasu. “It’s drizzling today.”

Snow Variations

• 小雪 (koyuki) – light snow
• 大雪 (ōyuki) – heavy snow
• 吹雪 (fubuki) – snowstorm/blizzard
• 粉雪 (konayuki) – powder snow

Example usage: 北海道は吹雪で交通機関が乱れています。 Hokkaidō wa fubuki de kōtsū kikan ga midarete imasu. “Transportation in Hokkaido is disrupted due to the blizzard.”

Weather-Related Verbs and Their Conjugations

Understanding weather in Japanese requires mastering key verbs. Here are the most essential ones with their common forms:

降る (furu) – to fall (precipitation)

This versatile verb is used with rain, snow, and other forms of precipitation.

Present/Future tense: 雨が降ります。(Ame ga furimasu.) – It rains/will rain.

Past tense: 雨が降りました。(Ame ga furimashita.) – It rained.

Te-form (for ongoing action): 雨が降っています。(Ame ga futte imasu.) – It is raining.

Potential form: 明日は雨が降るかもしれません。(Ashita wa ame ga furu kamoshiremasen.) – It might rain tomorrow.

晴れる (hareru) – to clear up

Example usage: 午後には晴れるでしょう。 Gogo ni wa hareru deshō. “It will probably clear up in the afternoon.”

曇る (kumoru) – to become cloudy

Example usage: 今日の午後は曇るそうです。 Kyō no gogo wa kumoru sō desu. “They say it will become cloudy this afternoon.”

Seasonal Weather Patterns in Japanese

Japan experiences four distinct seasons, each with its own vocabulary and expressions. Understanding these seasonal patterns is crucial for mastering weather in Japanese.

Spring (春 – haru)

Spring in Japan (March to May) is famous for its cherry blossoms and mild temperatures. Key spring weather terms in Japanese include:

• 暖かい (atatakai) – warm
• 春雨 (harusame) – spring rain
• 桜前線 (sakura zensen) – cherry blossom front

Example conversation: A: 今日はとても暖かいですね。 Kyō wa totemo atatakai desu ne. “It’s very warm today, isn’t it?”

B: はい、春らしい天気になってきました。 Hai, haru rashii tenki ni natte kimashita. “Yes, the weather has become spring-like.”

Summer (夏 – natsu)

Japanese summers (June to August) are known for humidity, heat, and the rainy season. Essential summer weather vocabulary in Japanese includes:

• 暑い (atsui) – hot (for weather/environment)
• 蒸し暑い (mushiatsui) – humid and hot
• 梅雨 (tsuyu/baiu) – rainy season
• 台風 (taifū) – typhoon

Example conversation: A: 最近、とても蒸し暑いですね。 Saikin, totemo mushiatsui desu ne. “It’s been very hot and humid lately, hasn’t it?”

B: ええ、この蒸し暑さは梅雨の特徴です。 Ee, kono mushiatsusa wa tsuyu no tokuchō desu. “Yes, this humidity is characteristic of the rainy season.”

For more on how to express other feelings and emotions in Japanese, check out our guide on how to say “how are you” in Japanese.

Autumn (秋 – aki)

Autumn in Japan (September to November) features comfortable temperatures and colorful foliage. Key autumn weather expressions in Japanese include:

• 涼しい (suzushii) – cool/refreshing
• 秋晴れ (akibare) – clear autumn weather
• 紅葉 (kōyō) – autumn leaves

Example conversation: A: 今日は気持ちの良い秋晴れですね。 Kyō wa kimochi no yoi akibare desu ne. “It’s a pleasant clear autumn day today, isn’t it?”

B: はい、この季節の天気が一番好きです。 Hai, kono kisetsu no tenki ga ichiban suki desu. “Yes, I like the weather in this season the most.”

Winter (冬 – fuyu)

Japanese winters (December to February) vary significantly by region. Essential winter weather vocabulary in Japanese includes:

• 寒い (samui) – cold
• 凍る (kōru) – to freeze
• 雪が積もる (yuki ga tsumoru) – snow to accumulate

Example conversation: A: 今朝はとても寒いですね。 Kesa wa totemo samui desu ne. “It’s very cold this morning, isn’t it?”

B: ええ、昨夜は氷点下だったそうです。 Ee, sakuya wa hyōtenka datta sō desu. “Yes, I heard it was below freezing last night.”

Weather Forecast Terms and Expressions

Understanding weather forecasts in Japanese requires familiarity with specific terminology. Here are key phrases you’ll encounter when listening to Japanese weather forecasts:

Weather Forecast Vocabulary

• 天気予報 (tenki yohō) – weather forecast
• 最高気温 (saikō kion) – maximum temperature
• 最低気温 (saitei kion) – minimum temperature
• 降水確率 (kōsui kakuritsu) – precipitation probability
• 湿度 (shitsudo) – humidity
• 気圧 (kiatsu) – atmospheric pressure

Common Weather Forecast Patterns

Japanese meteorologists use specific patterns when delivering forecasts:

• 晴れのち曇り (hare nochi kumori) – sunny, later cloudy
• 曇り時々雨 (kumori tokidoki ame) – cloudy with occasional rain
• 午前中は雨、午後は晴れ (gozen-chū wa ame, gogo wa hare) – rain in the morning, sunny in the afternoon

Example forecast: 明日の東京の天気は曇り時々雨、最高気温は24度、最低気温は18度の予報です。 Ashita no Tōkyō no tenki wa kumori tokidoki ame, saikō kion wa nijū-yon-do, saitei kion wa jūhachi-do no yohō desu. “Tomorrow’s weather forecast for Tokyo is cloudy with occasional rain, with a high of 24 degrees and a low of 18 degrees.”

Regional Climate Expressions in Japanese

Japan’s geography creates distinct climate zones from north to south. Learning regional weather terminology in Japanese helps you understand local conditions better.

Hokkaido and Northern Japan

• 極寒 (gokukan) – severe cold
• 流氷 (ryūhyō) – drift ice
• 猛吹雪 (mō fubuki) – violent blizzard

Central Japan (Tokyo, Osaka)

• 真夏日 (manatsubi) – midsummer day (temperatures above 30°C)
• ゲリラ豪雨 (gerira gōu) – sudden localized downpour
• 熱帯夜 (nettaiya) – tropical night (when temperatures stay above 25°C)

Southern Japan (Kyushu, Okinawa)

• 亜熱帯 (anettai) – subtropical
• 高温多湿 (kōon tashitsu) – high temperature and humidity
• 常夏 (tokonatsu) – eternal summer

If you’re planning to travel throughout Japan, you might also want to check out our guide on the best Japanese hot springs to experience different regional climates in the most relaxing way possible.

Practical Conversations About Weather in Japanese

Now let’s put your weather vocabulary in Japanese into action with these practical conversation examples:

Casual Weather Small Talk

Scenario: Meeting a neighbor

A: おはようございます。良い天気ですね。 Ohayō gozaimasu. Ii tenki desu ne. “Good morning. Nice weather, isn’t it?”

B: はい、とても気持ちがいいです。最近は雨が多かったので助かります。 Hai, totemo kimochi ga ii desu. Saikin wa ame ga ōkatta node tasukarimasu. “Yes, it feels very nice. It’s been raining a lot lately, so this is a welcome change.”

Discussing Weather Forecasts

Scenario: Planning an outing

A: 明日の天気予報はどうですか？ Ashita no tenki yohō wa dō desu ka? “How’s the weather forecast for tomorrow?”

B: 午前中は晴れるけど、午後から雨が降るそうです。 Gozen-chū wa hareru kedo, gogo kara ame ga furu sō desu. “It’s supposed to be sunny in the morning, but it’ll rain from the afternoon.”

Complaining About the Weather

Scenario: At the office

A: 最近、暑すぎて寝られないんです。 Saikin, atsusugite nerarenain desu. “Lately, it’s too hot to sleep.”

B: わかります。私もエアコンなしでは無理です。 Wakarimasu. Watashi mo eakon nashi de wa muri desu. “I understand. I can’t manage without air conditioning either.”

Tips for Learning Weather Vocabulary in Japanese

To master weather in Japanese, try these effective learning strategies:

1. Create a weather journal – Record daily weather conditions in Japanese
2. Watch Japanese weather forecasts – Available online from NHK or other Japanese networks
3. Use weather vocabulary apps – Set specific study sessions for weather terms
4. Practice with native speakers – Weather is a perfect topic for language exchange practice
5. Set your weather app to Japanese – Get daily exposure to meteorological terms

For self-learners, combining these strategies with other autonomous study techniques can be particularly effective. Check out our comprehensive guide on learning Japanese without a teacher for more independent study tips.

Weather-Related Cultural Insights

Understanding weather in Japanese also provides cultural insights:

• Weather as poetry – Seasonal references (kigo) are essential in traditional Japanese poetry
• Weather-based activities – Many Japanese leisure activities are strongly tied to specific weather conditions
• Weather and health – Japanese people often discuss weather in relation to physical wellbeing

For comprehensive Japanese language materials including weather vocabulary guides, phrasebooks, and audio resources, visit our resources page where you can download free guides to accelerate your learning.

Frequently Asked Questions About Weather in Japanese

What is the basic Japanese word for “weather”?

The most common word for weather in Japanese is “tenki” (天気).

How do you ask about the weather in Japanese?

To ask about the weather, say “Tenki wa dō desu ka?” (天気はどうですか？) which means “How is the weather?”

What is the rainy season called in Japanese?

The rainy season in Japan is called “tsuyu” (梅雨) or “baiu” (梅雨), typically occurring in early summer.

How do you say “It’s sunny” in Japanese?

To say “It’s sunny” in Japanese, use “Hare desu” (晴れです) or “Tenki ga ii desu” (天気がいいです).

What’s the difference between “atsui” and “samui”?

“Atsui” (暑い) means hot and is used for weather, while “samui” (寒い) means cold. These are two of the most essential weather adjectives in Japanese.

Conclusion: Weather Your Way to Japanese Fluency

Mastering weather in Japanese provides you with a valuable skill that extends far beyond knowing if you need an umbrella. Weather vocabulary serves as a bridge to authentic conversations, cultural understanding, and greater confidence in your Japanese abilities.

From casual small talk to understanding detailed forecasts, the weather terms you’ve learned in this guide will be among your most frequently used Japanese vocabulary. As you continue your language journey, you’ll find that weather discussions open doors to deeper connections with Japanese speakers and a more nuanced appreciation of the culture’s seasonal awareness.

So the next time someone comments “ii tenki desu ne” (いい天気ですね – “nice weather, isn’t it?”), you’ll be ready not just to agree, but to engage in a rich conversation about Japan’s fascinating climate, all in Japanese!

What weather-related Japanese phrases have you found most useful in your own experiences? Share your stories in the comments below!