Translation guide
Describes heavy rain that is blown by strong wind, often falling at an angle or with force. In Japanese, this is typically expressed with specific compound words or descriptive phrases.
To describe rain that is falling heavily and being blown by the wind, often at an angle.
Literally 'sideways-striking rain'. This is the most common and natural way to describe driving rain in Japanese. It vividly conveys rain blown horizontally by strong wind.
台風で横殴りの雨が降っている。
Driving rain is falling because of the typhoon.
横殴りの雨で傘が役に立たなかった。
The driving rain made the umbrella useless.
A noun meaning 'rain driven by wind'. It is less common in everyday speech but appears in weather forecasts and literary descriptions.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'heavy rain accompanied by wind'. It is more explanatory and less idiomatic, suitable for formal or written contexts.
風を伴った激しい雨が沿岸部を襲った。
Heavy rain accompanied by wind hit the coastal area.
横殴りの雨 is the go-to expression for driving rain in conversation and writing. It can be used with verbs like 降る (to fall) or 吹きつける (to blow against). Avoid literal translations like 運転する雨, which is nonsensical.
横殴りの雨が窓に吹きつけている。
The driving rain is lashing against the window.
Tonight it will be windy with driving rain.