Vocabulary for Weather and Seasons in Japanese

Whether you’re checking the forecast, talking about the heat in summer, or admiring the changing leaves in autumn, weather vocabulary can be helpful for day-to-day Japanese conversation.

Even more, Japan’s four seasons are deeply tied to its culture, holidays, and daily life. You’ll hear seasonal phrases everywhere—from convenience stores to traditional poetry. Understanding how to describe weather and the seasons not only improves your fluency but also helps you connect with Japanese people on a cultural level.

In this guide, we’ll cover the most useful vocabulary for weather and seasons in Japanese, show you how these words are used in everyday situations, and answer common learner questions.

Vocabulary for Weather and Seasons in Japanese

Weather Conditions

• 天気 (てんき, tenki) – weather

• 晴れ (はれ, hare) – sunny / clear skies

• 曇り (くもり, kumori) – cloudy

• 雨 (あめ, ame) – rain

• 雪 (ゆき, yuki) – snow

• 風 (かぜ, kaze) – wind

• 雷 (かみなり, kaminari) – thunder

• 霧 (きり, kiri) – fog

• 台風 (たいふう, taifuu) – typhoon

• 天気予報 (てんきよほう, tenki yohou) – weather forecast

• 気温 (きおん, kion) – temperature

• 湿度 (しつど, shitsudo) – humidity

Weather-Related Adjectives & Verbs

• 暑い (あつい, atsui) – hot (weather)

• 寒い (さむい, samui) – cold (weather)

• 涼しい (すずしい, suzushii) – cool, refreshing

• 蒸し暑い (むしあつい, mushiatsui) – hot and humid

• 降る (ふる, furu) – to fall (used with rain, snow)

Example Sentences:

• 明日は雨が降るでしょう。

  (Ashita wa ame ga furu deshou.) – It will probably rain tomorrow.

• 今日の気温は25度です。

  (Kyou no kion wa nijuu go do desu.) – The temperature today is 25°C.

• この部屋はちょっと寒いですね。

  (Kono heya wa chotto samui desu ne.) – It’s a little cold in this room, isn’t it?

The Four Seasons in Japanese

Japan experiences four distinct seasons, each with its own atmosphere, weather, festivals, and vocabulary.

• 春 (はる, haru) – spring

• 夏 (なつ, natsu) – summer

• 秋 (あき, aki) – autumn / fall

• 冬 (ふゆ, fuyu) – winter

Spring

• 桜 (さくら, sakura) – cherry blossoms

• 花見 (はなみ, hanami) – flower viewing

• 暖かい (あたたかい, atatakai) – warm

Example:

• 春には桜が咲きます。

  (Haru ni wa sakura ga sakimasu.) – Cherry blossoms bloom in spring.

Summer

• 暑い (あつい, atsui) – hot

• 海 (うみ, umi) – sea / beach

• 夏祭り (なつまつり, natsumatsuri) – summer festival

Example:

• 夏は海に行きたいです。

  (Natsu wa umi ni ikitai desu.) – I want to go to the beach in summer.

Autumn

• 紅葉 (こうよう, kouyou) – autumn leaves

• 涼しい (すずしい, suzushii) – cool

• 食欲の秋 (shokuyoku no aki) – “autumn appetite” (a seasonal saying)

Example:

• 秋の紅葉はとてもきれいです。

  (Aki no kouyou wa totemo kirei desu.) – Autumn leaves are very beautiful.

Winter

• 雪 (ゆき, yuki) – snow

• 寒い (さむい, samui) – cold

• お正月 (おしょうがつ, oshougatsu) – New Year

Example:

• 冬になると雪が降ります。

  (Fuyu ni naru to yuki ga furimasu.) – It snows when winter comes.

FAQs

1. How do I say “What’s the weather like?” in Japanese?

今日の天気はどうですか？ (Kyou no tenki wa dou desu ka?)

2. Can I use 熱い (atsui) instead of 暑い (atsui)?

No. Both mean "hot," but 熱い is used for objects (like hot tea), while 暑い is for weather and air temperature.

3. Are seasonal words used in greetings?

Yes. In letters or emails, people often mention the season as a way to set the tone. For example, "暑中お見舞い申し上げます" (Shochuu omimai moushiagemasu) is a common summer greeting.

Conclusion

Whether you’re planning a trip to Japan or just want to practice talking about the weather with native speakers, learning these seasonal and weather-related words will serve you well. Japan’s culture is deeply tied to nature and the changing of seasons, so you’ll hear these words more often than you think—on the news, in anime, at festivals, and everyday conversation.

Want to practice these terms in a real conversation? Try Sakuraspeak, the AI-powered app that helps you master Japanese through natural dialogue and roleplay. Whether it’s talking about spring flowers or a rainy day, you’ll gain the confidence to speak clearly and naturally.