Japanese Weather Vocabulary
In Japan, weather is far more than small talk — it is woven into greetings, letters, poetry, and daily life. Japanese has a rich vocabulary for weather that reflects the country's deep connection to nature and its four distinct seasons. From basic conditions to poetic seasonal terms, this guide covers the weather words you need to understand Japanese conversation and culture.
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Basic Weather Words — 天気の基本語彙
The word for weather in Japanese is 天気 (tenki). Basic weather conditions are described using nouns and adjectives. Many weather adjectives are i-adjectives that conjugate like other Japanese adjectives.
To say "it is sunny," say 晴れです (hare desu) or 晴れている (harete iru). To say "it was rainy," say 雨でした (ame deshita). The pattern is simple: weather noun + です for a polite statement.
Temperature & Sensation Words
Japanese has specific adjectives for how the weather feels. Be careful — some words that sound similar have different kanji and different meanings for weather versus objects.
Do not confuse 暑い (atsui, hot weather) with 熱い (atsui, hot to touch). They sound identical but use different kanji. 暑い describes air temperature while 熱い describes the temperature of objects, drinks, or surfaces.
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Seasonal Weather Vocabulary — 季節の言葉
Japanese weather vocabulary is deeply connected to the seasons. Each season has unique weather words that appear in conversation, poetry, and traditional greetings.
Seasonal Greetings — 季節の挨拶
Japanese letters and emails traditionally open with a weather-based seasonal greeting. Here are examples for each season:
- 春：暖かくなりましたね (Atatakaku narimashita ne) — It has gotten warm, hasn't it?
- 夏：暑い日が続きますね (Atsui hi ga tsuzukimasu ne) — The hot days continue, don't they?
- 秋：涼しくなりましたね (Suzushiku narimashita ne) — It has gotten cool, hasn't it?
- 冬：寒くなりましたね (Samuku narimashita ne) — It has gotten cold, hasn't it?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you ask about the weather in Japanese?
The standard question is 今日の天気はどうですか？ (Kyô no tenki wa dô desu ka? — How is today's weather?). In casual speech, you can simply say 天気どう？ (Tenki dô? — How's the weather?).
Why do Japanese people start letters with weather greetings?
Seasonal awareness is central to Japanese culture. Traditional letters and emails begin with 時候の挨拶 (jikô no aisatsu) — seasonal greetings that acknowledge the current weather or season. For example, "暑い日が続きますが" (Atsui hi ga tsuzukimasu ga — The hot days continue...). This shows consideration for the reader's well-being.
What is 梅雨 (tsuyu) in Japanese?
梅雨 (tsuyu) is Japan's rainy season, typically lasting from early June to mid-July. The kanji literally mean "plum rain" because it coincides with plum ripening season. It is a significant cultural period with its own vocabulary and traditions.
How do you say "it is hot" vs "it is cold" in Japanese?
For weather: 暑い (atsui) means hot (air temperature) and 寒い (samui) means cold (air temperature). For objects/touch: 熱い (atsui) means hot and 冷たい (tsumetai) means cold. Same pronunciation for "atsui" but different kanji and meanings.
Are there specific weather words for each Japanese season?
Yes. Spring has 花曇り (hanagumori) — cloudy skies during cherry blossom season. Summer has 夕立 (yûdachi) — sudden afternoon showers. Autumn has 秋晴れ (akibare) — clear autumn skies. Winter has 木枯らし (kogarashi) — the cold, dry wind signaling winter's arrival.