Translation guide
Describes weather with clouds, or metaphorically unclear situations. Japanese uses different words for weather vs. metaphorical cloudiness.
Describe overcast or partly cloudy weather.
Noun meaning 'cloudy weather'. Used in weather forecasts and daily conversation. Can also be used as a な-adjective with の.
It's cloudy today.
Tomorrow will be cloudy, then rainy.
Verb phrase meaning 'it is cloudy'. The ている form of 曇る (to become cloudy) describes the current state.
The sky is cloudy.
It's cloudy outside, so you should take an umbrella.
Noun meaning 'cloudy sky'. More descriptive than 曇り alone.
A cloudy sky is spreading.
Adverb describing a dull, overcast sky. Often implies a gloomy atmosphere.
It's a dull, cloudy sky.
Describe sky with some clouds but not fully overcast.
Describe a situation, mind, or liquid that is not clear.
Verb meaning 'to become cloudy' for both weather and metaphorical uses (e.g., eyes, mirror, mind).
Verb meaning 'to become muddy/cloudy' for liquids, or 'to become impure' for voice, mind, etc. Not used for weather.
な-adjective meaning 'opaque, unclear'. Used for situations, decisions, or physical objects. More formal.
Adverb/noun describing a hazy, foggy state, often for emotions or thoughts. 'Cloudy' in the sense of 'foggy-minded'.
曇る is for weather, mirrors, glass, and eyes (surface cloudiness). 濁る is for liquids becoming murky, or voice/mind becoming impure. Do not use 濁る for weather.
While 曇り can metaphorically mean 'cloudy' for eyes or mirrors, it is not used for abstract situations like 'cloudy future'. Use 不透明 or 濁る instead.
It's slightly cloudy today, so it's comfortable.
My eyes clouded with tears.
水が濁っている。
The water is cloudy/murky.
My mind got cloudy from alcohol.
The company's future is cloudy/unclear.
頭の中がもやもやしている。
My head feels cloudy/foggy.