Language
It never rains, but it pours
The rainy season is upon us. Like all seasons in Japan, tsuyu can be relied upon to come knocking right on schedule and when it comes, you best be prepared with kasa (umbrella) and kappa (rain jacket) close to hand. You will inevitably get caught out however and will find yourself having to explain in Japanese just what kind of rain you got soaked with. Shower yourself with these watery expressions and you’ll never feel out of your depth again.
| Expressions | |
| 雨は嫌ですね Ame wa iya desu ne |
It’s no fun when it rains |
| 良く降りますね Yoku furimasu ne |
It’s raining a lot (today/ recently) |
| 今日も雨みたいですね Kyo mo ame mitai desu ne |
Looks like it will rain today too |
| 傘を持っていくのを忘れないでね Kasa o motteiku no o wasurenaide ne |
Don’t forget your umbrella |
| ビショビショになった Bisho bisho ni natta! |
I got soaked! |
| Types of rain | |
| 小降り Koburi | Spitting |
| 小雨 Kosame | Light rain |
| 大雨 Ooame | Heavy rain |
| バケツをひっくり返したような雨 Bakettsu o hikkirukaeshita you na ame |
Torrential rain (bucketing down) |
| しとしと降る Shitoshito furu | Prolonged shower |
| 雷雨 Rai-u | Thunder storms |
| にわか雨 Niwaka ame | April showers (stop and start, repeat) |
| Vocab | |
| 梅雨 Tsuyu | The rainy season |
| 傘 Kasa | Umbrella |
| 長靴 Nagagutsu | Wellies/gum boots |
| カッパ Kappa | Rain coat |
| 虹 Niji | Rainbow |
