Translation guide
Describes a continuous period of rainy weather, from a few days to an entire season. Japanese has specific words for seasonal rains, as well as general expressions for prolonged rain.
The most common context for a 'long spell of rain' in Japan is the seasonal rainy front, typically the baiu/tsuyu in June–July or the akisame in September–October.
The rainy season in early summer (June to mid-July), characterized by persistent rain and high humidity. This is the most typical 'long spell of rain' in Japan.
The rainy season is long this year, isn't it?
During the rainy season, laundry doesn't dry easily.
The autumn rainy season, typically in September and October, associated with a stationary front. Less famous than tsuyu but still a recognized seasonal rain spell.
General term for a rainy season, often used for tropical monsoon climates. In Japan, it can refer to tsuyu but is less common in daily conversation.
When you want to say it has been raining for many days in a row, without referring to a named season.
Literally 'long rain', this is the most direct equivalent for a spell of rain lasting several days or more. Commonly used in weather forecasts and daily conversation.
Vegetables have become expensive because of this long spell of rain.
A flexible phrase meaning 'rain continues'. Can be modified with adverbs like ずっと or 何日も to emphasize duration.
Emphasizes the continuous falling of rain. Often used in literary or descriptive contexts.
A literary or technical term for a long spell of rain, often used in weather terminology or classical literature.
Describing a period of gloomy, rainy days, often with a nuance of dreariness or inconvenience.
Refers to unsettled, lingering bad weather, often cloudy with intermittent rain. Very common in weather reports.
Unsettled weather will likely continue all week.
Literally 'rain pattern', indicating signs of rain or a rainy look to the sky. Often used when rain seems imminent or is ongoing.
梅雨 (tsuyu) specifically refers to the East Asian rainy season from June to July. 雨季 (uki) is a general term for any rainy season, often used for tropical regions. In Japan, 梅雨 is the natural choice for the early summer rains.
Japan's rainy season is from June to July.
Avoid literal translations like '長い雨の期間'. While understandable, they sound unnatural. Use 長雨 or 雨が続く instead.
秋雨前線の影響で、ぐずついた天気が続いています。
Due to the autumn rain front, unsettled weather continues.
The rainy season in Southeast Asia is more intense than Japan's tsuyu.
When a long spell of rain continues, I tend to feel down.
It's been raining for a whole week now.
The rain continues and I can't go outside.
The incessant rain quietly soaked the town.
The rivers swelled due to the long rain.
Tomorrow looks rainy again, probably another gloomy day.