Learn basic Japanese vocabulary related to weather
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| 雲 (kumo) |
| 雪 (yuki) |
| 氷 (kōri) |
| What do these words mean? Stick around. |
| In this quick lesson, you’ll learn Japanese weather vocabulary. |
| Before we start, did you know that in some parts of Japan, people build little snow huts, kind of like igloos? |
| Do you know why they build these snow structures? |
| Keep watching for the answer at the end. |
| 雪 (yuki) |
| "snow" |
| [SLOW] 雪 (yuki) |
| 雪 (yuki) |
| The first snow to fall in a year is called ‘hatsuyuki’ in Japan. The kanji 初 means ‘first’ and 雪 means ‘snow’. |
| Tom shares his winter vacation plans with Steve. |
| Tom: スキーに行きます。山にはもう十分に雪が積もっています。 (Sukī ni ikimasu. Yama ni wa mō jūbun ni yuki ga tsumotte imasu.) |
| Steve: 楽しそうですね。私は雪が大好きです。 (Tanoshisō desu ne. Watashi wa yuki ga daisuki desu.) |
| 雨 (ame) |
| "rain" |
| [SLOW] 雨 (ame) |
| 雨 (ame) |
| Japan has a rainy season called 梅雨 (tsuyu), when it often rains for a long time around June. |
| Oscar and Steve consider changing their plans due to the weather. |
| Oscar: 今日は外で撮影できません。外はひどい雨が降っています。 (Kyō wa soto de satsuei dekimasen. Soto wa hidoi ame ga futte imasu.) |
| Steve: じゃあ、中の撮影場所を探しましょう。 (Jā, naka no satsuei basho o sagashimashō.) |
| 氷 (kōri) |
| "ice" |
| [SLOW] 氷 (kōri) |
| 氷 (kōri) |
| In Japan, there is a tradition of eating かき氷 (kakigōri) in the summer. Kakigōri is a popular summer dessert made of finely shaved ice topped with flavored syrup. |
| Ken and Yuya chat about the weather while having coffee. |
| Ken: 見てください！窓に氷が張っています。 (Mite kudasai! Mado ni kōri ga hatte imasu.) |
| Yuya: 間違いなく冬が来ましたね。 (Machigainaku fuyu ga kimashita ne.) |
| 湿度が高い (shitsudo ga takai) |
| "humid" |
| [SLOW] 湿度が高い (shitsudo ga takai) |
| 湿度が高い (shitsudo ga takai) |
| In Japan, summers are hot and humid, so this expression is often used. People also often say ジメジメする(jime-jime suru) an onomatopoeic way to describe humid. |
| Emily guides Ken during a vacation. |
| Emily: ここはいつも、特に夏は湿度が高いです。 (Koko wa itsumo, toku ni natsu wa shitsudo ga takai desu.) |
| Ken: 分かります。私の出身地とはかなり違います！ (Wakarimasu. Watashi no shusshinchi to wa kanari chigaimasu!) |
| 雲 (kumo) |
| "cloud" |
| [SLOW] 雲 (kumo) |
| 雲 (kumo) |
| In Japanese, ‘kumo’ can mean either a cloud in the sky or a spider in your room — same pronunciation, totally different meaning (and of course, the kanji are different)! |
| Lina and Susan plan a day out. |
| Lina: 晴れですね。今日は雲がありません。 (Hare desu ne. Kyō wa kumo ga arimasen.) |
| Susan: 日光浴に最適ですね。 (Nikkōyoku ni saiteki desu ne.) |
| 太陽 (taiyō) |
| "sun" |
| [SLOW] 太陽 (taiyō) |
| 太陽 (taiyō) |
| Did you know? The red circle on Japan’s flag, called the ‘Hinomaru,’ represents the rising sun. |
| Oscar and Jack watch the sunset at the beach. |
| Oscar: あの色を見てください。太陽が沈んでいます。 (Ano iro o mite kudasai. Taiyō ga shizunde imasu.) |
| Jack: ビーチでの夕日は最高ですね。 (Bīchi de no yūhi wa saikō desu ne.) |
| Let's review. |
| You'll see the words in English and your job is to say the words in Japanese. |
| Ready? |
| Do you remember how to say "snow"? |
| 雪 (yuki) |
| 雪 (yuki) |
| And how to say "rain"? |
| 雨 (ame) |
| 雨 (ame) |
| How about "ice"? |
| 氷 (kōri) |
| 氷 (kōri) |
| Do you remember how to say "humid"? |
| 湿度が高い (shitsudo ga takai) |
| 湿度が高い (shitsudo ga takai) |
| And how to say "cloud"? |
| 雲 (kumo) |
| 雲 (kumo) |
| And finally, do you remember how to say "sun"? |
| 太陽 (taiyō) |
| 太陽 (taiyō) |
| Did you know that in some parts of Japan, people build little snow huts, kind of like igloos? |
| Do you know why they build these snow structures? |
| They’re called kamakura, and in places like Yokote, people put small altars inside to honor gods for health and good luck. But it’s not just about tradition—it’s also a fun winter hangout, with lights and cozy parties inside the snow huts. |
| Thanks for watching! Don't forget to practice these new words and phrases, and see you next time! |
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