Translation guide
Describes intense, abundant rainfall. Japanese has several common words and phrases, with 大雨 (ōame) being the most general and widely used.
To describe rain that is falling heavily, in everyday conversation or writing.
The most common and neutral word for 'heavy rain'. Used in daily conversation, weather forecasts, and news.
It's raining heavily today.
It will likely be heavy rain tomorrow.
Literally 'violent rain', emphasizing intensity. Slightly more dramatic than 大雨.
I couldn't go outside because of the heavy rain.
Refers to torrential rain, often used in news reports for severe downpours causing disasters. More formal and technical.
Record-breaking torrential rain caused damage in various areas.
To describe a sudden, heavy rain shower, often short-lived.
Colloquial term for a downpour, like 'pouring rain'. Very common in spoken Japanese.
It's pouring outside. You'd better take an umbrella.
Specifically a sudden evening shower, common in summer. Often heavy but brief.
A sudden shower, not necessarily heavy, but can be used for a brief heavy rain.
To refer to heavy rain in formal contexts like weather forecasts or disaster alerts.
To express the sensory experience of heavy rain, often in literary or descriptive contexts.
A verb phrase meaning 'rain falls heavily'. Natural and descriptive.
The rain is falling heavily, and I can hear it pounding on the roof.
Onomatopoeic expression for the sound of heavy rain. Very colloquial.
It's pouring rain (with a loud sound), making me not want to go out.
大雨 (ōame) is the general term for heavy rain, used in daily life. 豪雨 (gōu) implies torrential, often disaster-level rain, and is more common in news reports.
The English phrase 'heavy rain' directly translates to 重い雨 (omoi ame), but this is not used in Japanese. Always use 大雨 or other natural expressions.
夕立に遭ってびしょ濡れになった。
I got caught in a sudden evening shower and got soaked.
Let's wait until the shower passes.
A heavy rain warning is in effect, so please stay away from rivers.