Translation guide
Describes heavy, driving rain that falls with force, often accompanied by wind. Japanese uses onomatopoeic adverbs, descriptive verbs, and compound nouns to convey intensity and sound.
Describe rain that is falling hard and fast, often with wind, as in a storm.
The most common word for a heavy downpour or pelting rain. Often used as a noun or with する/だ.
Focus on the auditory aspect of rain hitting surfaces hard.
土砂降り is everyday language for a heavy downpour, while 豪雨 is more formal and often used in news or warnings about severe weather.
Japanese has many onomatopoeic words for rain. ざあざあ suggests continuous heavy rain, while ばらばら focuses on the impact of large drops. Use them with 降る for natural expressions.
外は土砂降りだ。
It's pouring outside.
土砂降りの中を歩いてきた。
I walked through the pelting rain.
A straightforward description meaning 'rain falls violently/heavily'. Suitable for both spoken and written contexts.
雨が激しく降っている。
The rain is pelting down.
Literally 'sideways-beating rain', emphasizing rain driven by strong wind. Perfect for pelting rain in a storm.
横殴りの雨で傘が役に立たない。
The pelting rain makes umbrellas useless.
Refers to torrential rain or heavy rainfall, often used in weather reports. More formal than 土砂降り.
昨夜の豪雨で川が氾濫した。
The river flooded due to last night's pelting rain.
Onomatopoeia for heavy rain falling continuously. Often used with 降る.
雨がざあざあ降っている。
The rain is pelting down noisily.
Onomatopoeia for large raindrops hitting surfaces, like a pelting sound. Can also describe hail.
大粒の雨がばらばらと窓を打つ。
Large raindrops pelt against the window.