Translation guide
The English word 'mist' refers to a suspension of tiny water droplets in the air, often reducing visibility. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 霧 (kiri), but there are also words for finer mist, haze, and poetic expressions. This guide covers natural ways to express 'mist' in various contexts, from weather to metaphorical uses.
To describe a natural weather condition where tiny water droplets hang in the air, reducing visibility.
The standard word for 'mist' or 'fog'. It covers both thin mist and thick fog. In everyday conversation, 霧 is the most natural choice.
今朝は霧が濃いですね。
The mist is thick this morning, isn't it?
霧で前が見えにくい。
It's hard to see ahead because of the mist.
Refers to a thin mist or haze, often lighter than 霧. It can also imply a hazy atmosphere, sometimes used metaphorically.
朝靄が立ちこめている。
A morning mist hangs in the air.
Often translated as 'haze' or 'mist', but typically refers to a springtime atmospheric phenomenon where distant objects appear blurry. It has a poetic nuance and is less about water droplets and more about visual obscurity.
春霞で山がぼんやり見える。
The mountains look hazy in the spring mist.
To describe a very fine spray of water or other liquid, such as from a waterfall, spray bottle, or ocean waves.
Also used for fine spray, like the mist from a waterfall or a spray bottle. It's the same word as for weather mist.
滝の近くに立つと、霧のような水しぶきがかかる。
When you stand near the waterfall, a mist-like spray hits you.
Loanword from English, often used for cosmetic or cooling mists, like facial mists or mist sprays in hot weather.
Literally 'water smoke', used for the misty spray rising from a waterfall or crashing waves. More descriptive and less common.
To describe tiny droplets of water that form on a cold surface, like a mirror or window, due to condensation.
While 曇り usually means 'cloudiness', it is the most common way to describe a fogged-up mirror or window. The verb 曇る (くもる) means 'to fog up'.
鏡が曇って見えない。
The mirror is misted up and I can't see.
Technical term for condensation. Used for water droplets forming on windows, walls, or pipes due to temperature differences.
To use 'mist' figuratively to describe a state of confusion, obscurity, or something that clouds the mind or memory.
Can be used metaphorically, similar to English, as in 'a mist of confusion' or 'lost in the mist of time'. Often appears in set phrases.
記憶の霧に包まれる。
Shrouded in the mist of memory.
A common phrase meaning 'as if shrouded in mist', used to describe a hazy mental state or unclear situation.
頭の中が霧がかかったようだ。
My mind feels foggy (as if shrouded in mist).
Also used metaphorically for a vague, hazy feeling or atmosphere, often with a nuance of uncertainty.
心に靄がかかる。
A haze clouds my heart.
霧 is the general term for fog or mist, from thin to thick. 靄 is a thinner, lighter mist or haze, often used in literary contexts. 霞 is a springtime haze that makes distant views blurry, not necessarily wet; it's poetic and seasonal.
In English, 'fog' is thicker than 'mist', but Japanese 霧 covers both. To specify thick fog, you can say 濃霧 (のうむ, dense fog) or 深い霧 (ふかいきり, deep fog).
谷は霧に包まれていた。
The valley was filled with mist.
彼女は顔に細かいミストを吹きかけた。
She sprayed a fine mist of water on her face.
On a hot day, it feels good to be sprayed with a mist.
滝壺から水煙が上がっている。
A misty spray is rising from the waterfall basin.
In winter, condensation forms on the windows.