Translation guide
A high-altitude cloud type composed of small white patches or ripples, often arranged in patterns. In Japanese, it is primarily a technical meteorological term.
cirrocumulus cloud
Technical term; also commonly called うろこ雲 or いわし雲 in everyday language.
The scientific name for the cloud type, used in weather reports, textbooks, and formal contexts.
The standard Japanese term for cirrocumulus clouds, used in meteorology and formal writing.
In casual conversation, Japanese speakers rarely use the technical term 巻積雲. Instead, they use descriptive names like うろこ雲 (scale cloud) or いわし雲 (sardine cloud), which are more vivid and widely understood.
Cirrocumulus clouds are spreading across the sky today.
A common, more poetic name meaning 'scale cloud,' referring to the fish-scale-like pattern. Often used in everyday conversation and literature.
Since there are cirrocumulus clouds, it might rain tomorrow.
Another common name meaning 'sardine cloud,' similar to うろこ雲 but often used when the clouds resemble a school of sardines. Slightly more colloquial.
Cirrocumulus clouds are floating in the autumn sky.
A less common variant meaning 'mackerel cloud,' used regionally or in specific contexts. Similar to いわし雲 but less frequent.
When mackerel clouds appear, fishermen predict weather changes.