Translation guide
Describes intense, abundant rainfall. Japanese has several common words and phrases, with 大雨 (ōame) being the most general and widely used.
To describe rain that is falling heavily, in everyday conversation or writing.
The most common and neutral word for 'heavy rain'. Used in daily conversation, weather forecasts, and news.
今日は大雨が降っています。
It's raining heavily today.
明日は大雨になるでしょう。
It will likely be heavy rain tomorrow.
Literally 'violent rain', emphasizing intensity. Slightly more dramatic than 大雨.
激しい雨で外に出られなかった。
I couldn't go outside because of the heavy rain.
Refers to torrential rain, often used in news reports for severe downpours causing disasters. More formal and technical.
記録的な豪雨が各地で被害をもたらした。
Record-breaking torrential rain caused damage in various areas.
To describe a sudden, heavy rain shower, often short-lived.
Colloquial term for a downpour, like 'pouring rain'. Very common in spoken Japanese.
外は土砂降りだよ。傘を持って行ったほうがいい。
It's pouring outside. You'd better take an umbrella.
Specifically a sudden evening shower, common in summer. Often heavy but brief.
A sudden shower, not necessarily heavy, but can be used for a brief heavy rain.
To refer to heavy rain in formal contexts like weather forecasts or disaster alerts.
Heavy rain advisory. A standard term used by the Japan Meteorological Agency.
大雨注意報が発令されました。
A heavy rain advisory has been issued.
Heavy rain warning. More severe than an advisory.
大雨警報が出ているので、川に近づかないでください。
A heavy rain warning is in effect, so please stay away from rivers.
To express the sensory experience of heavy rain, often in literary or descriptive contexts.
A verb phrase meaning 'rain falls heavily'. Natural and descriptive.
雨が激しく降っていて、屋根を叩く音が聞こえる。
The rain is falling heavily, and I can hear it pounding on the roof.
Onomatopoeic expression for the sound of heavy rain. Very colloquial.
雨がざあざあ降りで、出かけるのが嫌になる。
It's pouring rain (with a loud sound), making me not want to go out.
大雨 (ōame) is the general term for heavy rain, used in daily life. 豪雨 (gōu) implies torrential, often disaster-level rain, and is more common in news reports.
The English phrase 'heavy rain' directly translates to 重い雨 (omoi ame), but this is not used in Japanese. Always use 大雨 or other natural expressions.
夕立に遭ってびしょ濡れになった。
I got caught in a sudden evening shower and got soaked.
にわか雨が通り過ぎるまで待とう。
Let's wait until the shower passes.