Learning how to describe the weather in Chinese is a great way to expand your vocabulary and engage in everyday conversations. Whether you’re planning to travel or just interested in learning the language, understanding weather-related terms can be incredibly useful. Here’s a comprehensive guide to some essential Chinese words and phrases that describe the weather.
天气 (tiānqì) – Weather
今天的天气怎么样？(Jīntiān de tiānqì zěnme yàng?)
This word is used to refer generally to the weather.
晴天 (qíng tiān) – Sunny day
今天是个大晴天。(Jīntiān shì gè dà qíngtiān.)
Use this term when the day is clear without clouds.
阴天 (yīn tiān) – Cloudy day
外面是阴天，可能会下雨。(Wàimiàn shì yīn tiān, kěnéng huì xià yǔ.)
This term describes an overcast sky typically implying that it might rain.
多云 (duō yún) – Partly cloudy
今天多云，偶尔会有阳光。(Jīntiān duō yún, ǒu’ěr huì yǒu yángguāng.)
This describes a sky with a mix of clouds and sun.
下雨 (xià yǔ) – Rainy
记得带伞，今天要下雨。(Jìdé dài sǎn, jīntiān yào xià yǔ.)
Used when precipitation in the form of water droplets is falling from the sky.
暴雨 (bào yǔ) – Storm/Heavy rain
昨晚的暴雨导致了洪水。(Zuówǎn de bàoyǔ dǎozhìle hóngshuǐ.)
This term is used when the rain is particularly heavy or violent.
雷阵雨 (léi zhèn yǔ) – Thunderstorm
雷阵雨来得很突然。(Léi zhèn yǔ lái de hěn tūrán.)
Refers to a storm characterized by thunder and lightning.
下雪 (xià xuě) – Snowy
冬天时，这里经常下雪。(Dōngtiān shí, zhè lǐ jīngcháng xià xuě.)
Used when snow is falling from the sky.
暴风雪 (bào fēng xuě) – Blizzard
去年的暴风雪非常严重。(Qùnián de bàofēngxuě fēicháng yánzhòng.)
Describes a severe snowstorm with strong winds.
刮风 (guā fēng) – Windy
今天刮风，别忘了穿厚点。(Jīntiān guā fēng, bié wàngle chuān hòu diǎn.)
This term is used when there is a noticeable wind blowing.
大风 (dà fēng) – Strong wind
大风把树都吹倒了。(Dà fēng bǎ shù dōu chuī dǎo le.)
Used when the wind is particularly strong.
湿度 (shī dù) – Humidity
今天湿度很高，感觉很闷。(Jīntiān shīdù hěn gāo, gǎnjué hěn mèn.)
Refers to the amount of moisture in the air.
霜冻 (shuāng dòng) – Frost
冬天的早晨经常可以看到霜冻。(Dōngtiān de zǎochén jīngcháng kěyǐ kàn dào shuāng dòng.)
Occurs when the temperature drops low enough for dew to freeze.
雾 (wù) – Fog
今天早上有很大的雾。(Jīntiān zǎoshang yǒu hěn dà de wù.)
This is used to describe a thick cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere, reducing visibility.
霾 (mái) – Smog
最近城市里的霾很严重。(Zuìjìn chéngshì lǐ de mái hěn yánzhòng.)
Describes a type of intense air pollution.
台风 (tái fēng) – Typhoon
台风预计明天到达。(Táifēng yùjì míngtiān dádá.)
A tropical storm in the region of the Indian or western Pacific oceans.
飓风 (jù fēng) – Hurricane
飓风导致了许多家园的破坏。(Jù fēng dǎozhìle xǔduō jiāyuán de pòhuài.)
A type of violent tropical cyclone with strong winds.
Each of these words can help you describe various weather conditions in Chinese, allowing you to communicate more effectively about everyday topics. Whether it’s a sunny day or a snowy one, knowing these terms will help you share your experiences and understand others when they talk about the weather.
