Translation guide
The English word "hail" has two main uses: the weather phenomenon (frozen rain) and the act of calling out to someone or something. This guide covers both, with natural Japanese expressions for each.
Referring to pellets of frozen rain that fall from the sky.
The standard word for hail as a weather phenomenon. Used in everyday conversation and weather reports.
It hailed yesterday.
雹で車に傷がついた。
The hail scratched my car.
Technically refers to smaller, softer hail or graupel. Often used in weather forecasts to distinguish from larger hail. In casual speech, 雹 is more common for any hail.
霰が降ってきた。
Small hail started falling.
To call out to someone to get their attention, greet them, or signal them.
To call out and stop someone (e.g., on the street). Implies you want them to stop and talk.
通りで友人を呼び止めた。
I hailed a friend on the street.
A general phrase for calling out to someone or speaking to them. Softer than 呼び止める; doesn't necessarily imply stopping them.
To shout or yell. Used when hailing someone loudly, often from a distance.
To signal a taxi to stop and pick you up.
Literally 'pick up a taxi'. The most natural way to say 'hail a taxi' in Japanese.
駅前でタクシーを拾った。
I hailed a taxi in front of the station.
Literally 'stop a taxi'. Also common, but 拾う is more idiomatic for hailing.
手を上げてタクシーを止めた。
I hailed a taxi by raising my hand.
To publicly praise or enthusiastically approve of someone or something.
To praise or acclaim. Often used in formal contexts or media.
その映画は批評家に称賛された。
The movie was hailed by critics.
To praise highly; rave about. Stronger than 称賛する.
新製品はユーザーから絶賛されている。
The new product is being hailed by users.
To hail someone as something. Often used in the pattern 「～と称える」.
彼は英雄と称えられた。
He was hailed as a hero.
To come from a particular place (used for people).
Standard way to say someone hails from a place. Use with place name + 出身.
彼は大阪出身だ。
He hails from Osaka.
Alternative pattern with の. Slightly more formal.
彼女は東京の出身です。
She hails from Tokyo.
The English verb 'to hail' (as in 'it's hailing') is not directly translated as a single verb in Japanese. Use 「雹が降る」 (hail falls) instead.
雹 (ひょう) refers to larger hailstones (typically >5mm), while 霰 (あられ) is smaller, softer hail or graupel. In everyday conversation, 雹 is the default word for any hail.
I was hailed by a stranger.
He hailed for help.