Translation guide
Describes very heavy, intense rainfall. In Japanese, this is most commonly expressed with the noun 豪雨 (gōu) or the phrase 土砂降り (doshaburi). The choice depends on formality and context.
To refer to torrential rain as a weather phenomenon, often in news, forecasts, or formal writing.
The standard term for torrential or extremely heavy rain. Used in weather reports and formal contexts.
昨夜の豪雨で川が氾濫した。
The river flooded due to last night's torrential rain.
Literally 'heavy rain'. More common in everyday speech, but can also be used in warnings. Less intense than 豪雨.
明日は大雨になるでしょう。
It will be heavy rain tomorrow.
To describe torrential rain in everyday conversation.
Colloquial term for a downpour. Very common in spoken Japanese.
外は土砂降りだよ。
It's pouring outside.
Onomatopoeic expression for heavy rain. Often used with the verb 降る.
雨がザーザー降っている。
It's raining heavily.
To emphasize the suddenness or violence of the rain.
Refers to localized torrential rain, often causing flash floods. Common in weather warnings.
集中豪雨により避難勧告が出された。
An evacuation advisory was issued due to torrential rain.
Literally 'rain like a waterfall'. A vivid simile for extremely heavy rain.
滝のような雨で前が見えなかった。
I couldn't see ahead because of the torrential rain.
豪雨 is formal and used in news/weather reports. 大雨 is general 'heavy rain' and can be used in daily conversation or warnings. 土砂降り is casual and vivid, like 'pouring rain'.
The English word 'torrential' does not have a direct adjective equivalent in Japanese. Use the nouns or phrases above instead of trying to create an adjective form.
豪雨のため試合は中止になった。
The game was canceled due to torrential rain.
土砂降りに遭っちゃった。
We got caught in a torrential downpour.