Translation guide
The English word "fog" refers to a weather condition with thick water droplets near the ground, reducing visibility. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 霧 (kiri), but there are also related terms for mist, haze, and figurative uses. This guide covers natural ways to express fog in Japanese, from everyday weather talk to metaphorical expressions.
To describe a dense atmospheric condition with reduced visibility, typically in weather reports or daily conversation.
The standard word for fog. Used in weather forecasts and everyday speech.
The fog is thick this morning, isn't it?
霧で前が見えません。
I can't see ahead because of the fog.
Literally 'dense fog'. Often used in formal contexts like weather warnings or news.
濃霧注意報が出ています。
A dense fog advisory has been issued.
To describe a thinner, less dense fog, often occurring in mornings or near water.
Refers to mist or haze, lighter than 霧. Common in literary or descriptive contexts.
朝靄が立ち込めている。
The morning mist is hanging in the air.
Often translated as 'haze' or 'mist', but implies a springtime atmospheric effect that makes distant objects appear blurry. More poetic than 霧.
To express a mental state of confusion or lack of clarity, similar to 'brain fog' or 'fog of war'.
Literally 'as if fog has settled', used to describe a hazy mental state or unclear situation.
頭に霧がかかったような感じがする。
I feel like there's a fog in my head.
Means confusion, turmoil, or chaos. Often used in political or economic contexts, similar to 'fog of uncertainty'.
政局は混迷を深めている。
The political situation is deepening in confusion.
A four-character idiom meaning 'totally at a loss' or 'in a fog', literally 'five leagues in fog'. Used when one has no clue what to do.
To describe when a surface like glass or a mirror becomes covered with tiny water droplets, obscuring vision.
The verb for 'to become cloudy/foggy'. Used for glasses, mirrors, windows, etc.
眼鏡が曇って前が見えない。
My glasses fogged up and I can't see ahead.
寒い日は窓が曇りやすい。
On cold days, windows tend to fog up easily.
Specifically fogging up due to steam or hot vapor.
浴室の鏡が湯気で曇った。
The bathroom mirror fogged up from the steam.
In meteorology, 霧 is fog with visibility under 1 km, while 靄 is mist with visibility 1 km or more. 霞 is a spring phenomenon where distant views appear hazy due to dust or moisture, not strictly a weather condition. In everyday use, 霧 is the safest choice for fog.
The loanword フォグ is rarely used in Japanese except in technical contexts like 'fog lamp' (フォグランプ) or 'fog machine' (フォグマシン). For weather, always use 霧.
The distant mountains look hazy.
彼は五里霧中で決断できなかった。
He was in a complete fog and couldn't make a decision.