Translation guide
In Japanese, 'dense fog' is most commonly expressed with 濃霧 (のうむ), a formal or technical term. In everyday speech, people often describe fog by its thickness using phrases like 濃い霧 (こいきり) or 深い霧 (ふかいきり). There are also evocative words like 霞 (かすみ) for haze and 霧 (きり) for general fog, but to emphasize density, modifiers are needed.
To describe fog that is dense or thick in casual conversation or writing.
Literally 'thick fog'. This is the most natural and common way to say 'dense fog' in everyday Japanese.
今朝は濃い霧で前が見えなかった。
This morning, I couldn't see ahead because of the dense fog.
A dense fog is hanging over the area.
Literally 'deep fog'. Conveys a sense of being enveloped in thick fog, often used in literary or descriptive contexts.
山は深い霧に包まれていた。
The mountain was shrouded in dense fog.
A sentence pattern meaning 'the fog is thick'. Useful for describing current conditions.
外は霧が濃いから気をつけて。
The fog is thick outside, so be careful.
To refer to dense fog in weather reports, news, or formal writing.
The standard technical term for 'dense fog', used in weather forecasts and official contexts.
濃霧注意報が発令された。
A dense fog advisory has been issued.
濃霧のため視界が50メートル以下です。
Visibility is less than 50 meters due to dense fog.
To describe a dense, misty fog often associated with spring or autumn, with a softer nuance.
Refers to a haze or mist, often implying a soft, blurring effect. Not as thick as 濃霧, but can be used poetically for dense atmospheric haze, especially in spring.
春の霞で遠くの山がかすんで見える。
The distant mountains look hazy in the spring mist.
General word for 'fog'. To express density, it must be modified (e.g., 濃い霧). Alone, it does not necessarily mean 'dense fog'.
Using 霧 alone does not convey density. Always add an adjective like 濃い or 深い unless context makes it clear.
濃い霧 (こいきり) is the everyday phrase, while 濃霧 (のうむ) is a compound word used in formal or technical contexts like weather reports. In casual speech, 濃い霧 is preferred.
濃い霧で電車が遅れた。
The train was delayed due to thick fog.
濃霧のため高速道路が通行止めになった。
The highway was closed due to dense fog.
To emphasize how thick the fog is, you can use expressions like 真っ白な霧 (まっしろなきり, pure white fog) or 一寸先も見えない (いっすんさきもみえない, can't see an inch ahead).
濃霧のため空港が閉鎖された。
The airport was closed due to dense fog.
濃い霧の中で道に迷った。
We got lost in the dense fog.
The fog was so thick I couldn't see anything.