Translation guide
Describes light, fine rain. Japanese has specific verbs and nouns for this, with nuances of intensity and formality.
To describe light, fine rain falling or the rain itself.
Noun meaning 'drizzle' or 'fine rain'. Literally 'mist rain'. Common and natural.
It's drizzling today.
Noun meaning 'light rain'. Slightly broader than drizzle, but often used for light drizzly rain.
A light rain started to fall.
Phrase meaning 'fine rain'. Descriptive and natural.
A fine rain has been falling all day.
To say that it is drizzling.
The most natural way to say 'it drizzles'. Uses the noun 霧雨 with the verb 降る (to fall).
It's drizzling outside.
Onomatopoeic adverb + verb meaning 'to fall gently and quietly', often used for drizzling rain. Evokes a calm, persistent drizzle.
It's drizzling quietly.
Verb meaning 'to drizzle' or 'to fall in fine drops'. Literary and somewhat rare in everyday speech.
To pour a liquid in a thin, steady stream over food.
General verb for pouring or sprinkling a liquid over something. Not specific to drizzling, but commonly used for drizzling sauces, oil, etc.
Drizzle olive oil over the salad.
Phrase meaning 'to pour thinly', emphasizing the thin stream. Useful for clarifying the drizzling action.
Drizzle chocolate sauce in a thin stream.
Verb meaning 'to drip' or 'to dribble'. Can be used for drizzling a small amount of liquid drop by drop.
霧雨 (きりさめ) specifically means drizzle or mist-like fine rain. 小雨 (こさめ) means light rain, which can include drizzle but is a broader term. For true drizzle, 霧雨 is more precise.
There is no single common verb that directly translates 'to drizzle' for rain. Use noun+降る (e.g., 霧雨が降る) or onomatopoeic adverbs like しとしと降る.
雨がそぼ降る夕暮れ。
A twilight with drizzling rain.
レモン汁を数滴たらす。
Drizzle a few drops of lemon juice.