Translation guide
The English word 'raindrops' refers to individual drops of rain. In Japanese, the most common way to express this is with the word 雨粒 (あまつぶ) or simply 雨 (あめ) in context. This guide covers natural ways to talk about raindrops in various situations.
雨粒
raindrops
Referring to the physical drops of rain falling or on surfaces.
The standard word for 'raindrop'. Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
窓に雨粒が当たっている。
Raindrops are hitting the window.
大きな雨粒が落ちてきた。
Big raindrops started falling.
Literally 'grains of rain'. Slightly more descriptive than 雨粒, but less common.
葉っぱの上に雨の粒が光っている。
Raindrops are glistening on the leaves.
Technical or literary term for 'raindrop'. Often used in scientific contexts or poetry.
雨滴の大きさを測定する。
Measure the size of raindrops.
Describing the sound or feeling of raindrops falling.
Use this phrase to talk about the sound of rain, including raindrops. Often combined with onomatopoeia.
雨の音が聞こえる。
I can hear the sound of raindrops.
ポツポツと雨の音がし始めた。
The sound of raindrops started pattering.
Japanese uses rich onomatopoeia for rain sounds. ポツポツ (potsupotsu) for sparse drops, ザーザー (zaazaa) for heavy rain, シトシト (shitoshito) for gentle rain.
ポツポツと雨が降り出した。
Raindrops started falling sporadically.
シトシトと雨が降っている。
A gentle rain is falling.
Describing raindrops on windows, leaves, etc.
Pattern for 'raindrops on ~'. Use ついた (attached) to describe drops on a surface.
窓ガラスについた雨粒がきれいだ。
The raindrops on the windowpane are beautiful.
For raindrops left behind after rain, use 残った (remained).
葉に残った雨粒が朝日で輝いている。
The raindrops left on the leaves are sparkling in the morning sun.
In many contexts, simply saying 雨 (あめ) is enough when the meaning of 'raindrops' is clear from context. For example, 'Raindrops are falling' can be just 雨が降っている (あめがふっている).
雨粒 (あまつぶ) is the everyday word for raindrops. 雨滴 (うてき) is more technical or literary and is rarely used in conversation.
雨粒が少し当たった。
I felt a few raindrops.
屋根に当たる雨粒の音が大きかった。
The raindrops on the roof were loud.