Translation guide
The English word "storm" covers a range of severe weather events and metaphorical uses. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 嵐 (あらし), but specific types of storms have distinct terms. This guide helps learners choose the right word based on context.
A general storm with strong winds and heavy rain, often used for typhoons or intense low-pressure systems.
The most common and general word for a storm, implying strong winds and rain. Can be used for both literal and metaphorical storms.
昨夜の嵐で木が倒れた。
A tree fell down in last night's storm.
嵐が近づいている。
A storm is approaching.
Literally 'violent wind and rain', a more technical or formal term for a rainstorm with strong winds. Often used in weather reports.
暴風雨警報が発令された。
A storm warning was issued.
Refers to stormy or rough weather in general, often used in maritime or aviation contexts.
荒天のため船が出港できなかった。
The ship couldn't depart due to stormy weather.
A tropical cyclone, specifically a typhoon in the Pacific region.
The standard word for a typhoon. Note that 'hurricane' is usually translated as ハリケーン, but for storms in East Asia, 台風 is correct.
台風が上陸した。
The typhoon made landfall.
台風のため学校が休みになった。
School was canceled because of the typhoon.
A storm with thunder and lightning.
Literally 'thunder rain', the standard term for a thunderstorm.
午後は雷雨になるでしょう。
There will be thunderstorms in the afternoon.
A common phrase meaning 'thunder roars', used to describe a thunderstorm in progress.
雷が鳴って、大雨が降り出した。
Thunder roared and heavy rain started falling.
A storm with heavy snow and strong winds.
The standard word for a snowstorm or blizzard. Implies strong winds and blowing snow.
吹雪で視界が悪くなった。
Visibility worsened due to the snowstorm.
A more formal term for a severe snowstorm, often used in weather warnings.
A storm with strong winds carrying dust or sand.
Literally 'sand storm', used for both sandstorms and dust storms.
砂漠で砂嵐に遭った。
We encountered a sandstorm in the desert.
A figurative storm, such as a political scandal, emotional upheaval, or a flurry of activity.
Just like in English, 嵐 can be used metaphorically for a tumultuous situation or intense emotion.
その発言はメディアで大嵐を巻き起こした。
That remark caused a huge storm in the media.
心の中は嵐のようだった。
My heart was like a storm.
A pattern meaning 'a storm of ~', used for a sudden burst of something, like applause or criticism.
彼の演奏が終わると、拍手の嵐が起こった。
When his performance ended, a storm of applause erupted.
The verb 'to storm' meaning to attack a place or to move angrily.
Means 'to attack' or 'to raid', used for storming a building or location.
群衆が宮殿を襲撃した。
The mob stormed the palace.
Literally 'to fly out in anger', used when someone storms out of a room.
彼は怒って部屋を飛び出した。
He stormed out of the room.
Means 'to rush into', used for storming into a place forcefully.
警察が建物に突入した。
The police stormed the building.
To survive a difficult situation.
A direct equivalent of the English idiom, meaning to endure and overcome a crisis.
会社は不況の嵐を乗り切った。
The company weathered the storm of recession.
A more general phrase meaning 'to overcome a difficult situation', not necessarily using storm imagery.
彼は多くの難局を乗り切ってきた。
He has weathered many storms.
The loanword ストーム is rarely used in natural Japanese. It may appear in product names or as slang for 'storming' into a place, but for weather, always use native Japanese words like 嵐 or 台風.
嵐 is a general storm, while 台風 specifically refers to a typhoon (tropical cyclone). In English, 'storm' can sometimes mean typhoon, but in Japanese, use 台風 for that specific weather phenomenon.
嵐で停電になった。
The storm caused a power outage.
嵐が来る。
A storm is coming.
明日は嵐になると予報が出ている。
They predicted a storm for tomorrow.
暴風雪警報が出ている。
A blizzard warning is in effect.