Translation guide
In Japanese, describing dry weather involves specific terms for clear, rainless conditions, often with nuances of humidity or seasonal context. The most common expressions are 晴天 (seiten) for fine weather and 乾燥した天気 (kansō shita tenki) for dry air, but natural usage depends on what aspect of 'dry' you mean.
To describe a day or period with no precipitation, sunny or clear skies.
Standard term for fine, clear weather. Often used in forecasts and formal contexts.
明日は晴天でしょう。
Tomorrow will be fine weather.
Everyday word for sunny or clear weather. Very common in casual speech.
今日は晴れです。
It's sunny today.
Good weather, often implying pleasant, dry conditions. Slightly formal.
好天に恵まれた。
We were blessed with good weather.
Literally 'Japan clear sky', used for a brilliantly clear, dry day. Poetic or emphatic.
今日は日本晴れだ。
It's a gloriously clear day today.
To describe weather with low moisture content, often causing dry skin or static electricity.
Direct translation for 'dry weather' focusing on aridity. Common in weather reports.
乾燥した天気が続いています。
Dry weather continues.
Phrase meaning 'the air is dry'. More natural than a noun phrase in conversation.
空気が乾燥しているので、肌がかさかさする。
The air is dry, so my skin feels rough.
Official 'dry weather advisory' issued when humidity is very low and fire risk is high.
乾燥注意報が出ています。
A dry weather advisory is in effect.
To describe an extended period without rain, often with negative connotations for agriculture.
Dry spell or drought, emphasizing lack of rain and strong sun. Common in farming contexts.
日照りが続いて作物が枯れた。
The dry weather continued and the crops withered.
Formal term for drought. Used in news and official reports.
Low rainfall, often used in meteorological contexts. Not as strong as drought.
To refer to the dry season in regions with distinct wet and dry periods.
Standard term for dry season, opposite of 雨季 (rainy season).
乾季にはほとんど雨が降らない。
During the dry season, it hardly rains.
The phrase 'dry weather' is often translated as 乾燥した天気, but in many contexts, Japanese speakers prefer to describe the condition (e.g., 空気が乾燥している) or use a more specific term like 晴天 for clear skies. Using 乾燥した天気 for a sunny day can sound unnatural.
晴天 is more formal and often used in writing or forecasts. 晴れ is the everyday word for sunny weather. Both imply lack of rain, but 晴天 can emphasize the clarity of the sky.
この地域は干ばつに見舞われている。
This region is suffering from drought.
This year's low rainfall raises concerns about water shortages.