Translation guide
The English word 'rain' refers to water falling from clouds. In Japanese, the most common word is 雨 (あめ), but there are many specific terms for types of rain, intensity, and related expressions. This guide covers how to talk about rain naturally in Japanese.
Referring to rain as a weather phenomenon or the substance itself.
Describing very light rain or mist-like precipitation.
Light rain, drizzle. Commonly used.
Describing intense, heavy rain.
Referring to rain that starts or stops suddenly, often short-lived.
Referring to a period of continuous rain, especially the East Asian rainy season.
The rainy season in early summer (June to July). Essential cultural term.
Talking about how much it rains or the strength of rain.
Common actions and states related to rain.
Using 'rain' in non-literal ways, such as in idioms or poetic expressions.
While 雨です means 'It is rain', it's not the natural way to say 'It's raining'. Use 雨が降っています instead.
大雨 is the general term for heavy rain. 豪雨 implies extremely heavy, often disaster-level rain, and is common in news reports.
I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow.
Rainfall is expected tomorrow.
小雨が降っている。
It's drizzling.
Fine rain like mist; drizzle. More poetic or descriptive.
A fine drizzle envelops the town.
Heavy rain. Standard term.
The trains stopped due to heavy rain.
Torrential rain, downpour. Often used in news for severe weather.
Flooding occurred due to torrential rain.
Colloquial term for a heavy downpour; literally 'earth and sand falling'.
It's pouring outside.
Sudden shower, brief rain. Common in weather forecasts.
There will be occasional showers in the afternoon.
Sudden evening shower, typical in summer.
I got caught in a sudden evening shower and got soaked.
梅雨が明けた。
The rainy season has ended.
Long spell of rain, not necessarily seasonal.
The laundry won't dry because of the long rain.
Amount of precipitation. Used in weather reports.
Today's rainfall exceeded 100 millimeters.
Describes the force of falling rain; 'the rain is falling heavily'.
The rain is coming down harder.
Passive form expressing being caught in the rain, often with a nuance of inconvenience.
I went out and got rained on.
To take shelter from the rain.
I took shelter from the rain at a convenience store.
Idiom: 'like bamboo shoots after rain', meaning things appearing in quick succession.
New cafes are popping up like mushrooms after rain.
The rain got stronger.