Translation guide
Describes weather with clouds, or metaphorically unclear situations. Japanese uses different words for weather vs. metaphorical cloudiness.
Describe overcast or partly cloudy weather.
Noun meaning 'cloudy weather'. Used in weather forecasts and daily conversation. Can also be used as a な-adjective with の.
Describe sky with some clouds but not fully overcast.
Standard weather forecast phrase: 'sunny, occasionally cloudy'.
明日は晴れ時々曇りでしょう。
Tomorrow will be sunny with occasional clouds.
Describe a situation, mind, or liquid that is not clear.
曇る is for weather, mirrors, glass, and eyes (surface cloudiness). 濁る is for liquids becoming murky, or voice/mind becoming impure. Do not use 濁る for weather.
While 曇り can metaphorically mean 'cloudy' for eyes or mirrors, it is not used for abstract situations like 'cloudy future'. Use 不透明 or 濁る instead.
今日は曇りです。
It's cloudy today.
明日は曇りのち雨でしょう。
Tomorrow will be cloudy, then rainy.
Verb phrase meaning 'it is cloudy'. The ている form of 曇る (to become cloudy) describes the current state.
空が曇っています。
The sky is cloudy.
外は曇っているから、傘を持って行ったほうがいいよ。
It's cloudy outside, so you should take an umbrella.
Noun meaning 'cloudy sky'. More descriptive than 曇り alone.
曇り空が広がっている。
A cloudy sky is spreading.
Adverb describing a dull, overcast sky. Often implies a gloomy atmosphere.
どんよりとした曇り空だ。
It's a dull, cloudy sky.
Noun meaning 'slightly cloudy' or 'lightly overcast'. Often used when the sun is still visible through thin clouds.
今日は薄曇りで、過ごしやすい。
It's slightly cloudy today, so it's comfortable.
Verb meaning 'to become cloudy' for both weather and metaphorical uses (e.g., eyes, mirror, mind).
Verb meaning 'to become muddy/cloudy' for liquids, or 'to become impure' for voice, mind, etc. Not used for weather.
な-adjective meaning 'opaque, unclear'. Used for situations, decisions, or physical objects. More formal.
会社の将来は不透明だ。
The company's future is cloudy/unclear.
Adverb/noun describing a hazy, foggy state, often for emotions or thoughts. 'Cloudy' in the sense of 'foggy-minded'.
頭の中がもやもやしている。
My head feels cloudy/foggy.