Translation guide
The act of praying for rain in Japanese is most commonly expressed with the specific term 雨乞い (amagoi), which refers to traditional rain-making rituals. In modern or casual contexts, more general phrases for praying or wishing for rain are used.
To refer to the historical or cultural practice of performing ceremonies to invoke rain.
The standard term for a traditional rain-making ritual or prayer. It can be used as a noun or as a suru-verb (雨乞いをする).
To express praying or wishing for rain in a non-ritualistic, everyday sense.
A natural phrase meaning 'to pray for rain.' It uses the general verb 祈る (to pray) with the expression 〜ように (so that).
農家の人たちは雨が降るように祈っている。
The farmers are praying for rain.
村人たちは雨乞いをした。
The villagers performed a rain-making ritual.
雨乞いの儀式が行われた。
A rain-making ceremony was held.
Means 'to wish for rain.' 願う is a common verb for wishing or hoping. Slightly less formal than 祈る.
乾季が長いので、みんな雨を願っている。
Since the dry season is long, everyone is wishing for rain.
While 雨乞い is primarily a traditional ritual, it can be used metaphorically or jokingly in modern contexts to mean 'praying for rain' in a desperate situation.
この暑さじゃ、雨乞いでもしたい気分だよ。
With this heat, I feel like doing a rain dance or something.