안녕, 여러분! (An-nyeong yeo-reo-bun!)
The Rainy Season is here, and Korea has a surprising number of words to describe different kinds of rain. Not just rain in general, but fine drizzle, sudden showers, stormy rain, and more. Pretty poetic, right?
In this article, let’s walk through some of the most commonly used Korean words and expressions that describe the rainy season. Whether it’s just a sprinkle or a full-on downpour, you’ll soon have the perfect word to match the moment!
1. 이슬비 (i-seul-bi) – Drizzle
This is the kind of rain that’s soft, gentle, and almost feels like mist. It’s light enough to enjoy without an umbrella, unless it keeps falling for hours!
Example:
오늘은 이슬비가 내려요.
(O-neu-reun i-seul-bi-ga nae-ryeo-yo)
→ It’s drizzling today.
2. 가랑비 (ga-rang-bi) – Fine Rain
A little stronger than 이슬비 (i-seul-bi) but still delicate. It looks harmless, but it’s the type of rain that slowly soaks your clothes without you noticing.
Example:
가랑비에 옷 다 젖었어요.
(Ga-rang-bi-e ot da jeo-jeoss-eo-yo)
→ My clothes got soaked in the fine rain.
3. 소나기 (so-na-gi) – Sudden Shower
These are short bursts of heavy rain that come out of nowhere and leave just as fast. You might leave your house with sunshine and return in soaked clothes!
Example:
갑자기 소나기가 왔어요.
(Gab-ja-gi so-na-gi-ga wa-ss-eo-yo)
→ A sudden shower came out of nowhere!
4. 폭우 (pok-u) – Heavy Rain
When it rains non-stop and everything is drenched, that’s 폭우 (pok-u), a proper downpour. It’s powerful and can cause floods if it goes on too long.
Example:
폭우 때문에 밖에 나갈 수 없어요.
(Pok-u ttae-mun-e bak-kke na-gal su eop-seo-yo)
→ I can’t go outside because of the heavy rain.
5. 비바람 (bi-ba-ram) – Rainstorm / Rain + Wind
When strong wind joins the rain, it’s 비바람 (bi-ba-ram). It’s loud, dramatic, and sometimes even scary. Not the best day to step out!
Example:
비바람이 너무 심해요.
(Bi-ba-ram-i neo-mu sim-hae-yo)
→ The wind and rain are too strong.
Rainy Day Word Bank
A mini list of words you’ll hear a lot during monsoon season:
- 비 (bi) ‐ rain
- 우산 (u-san) ‐ umbrella
- 장마 (jang-ma) ‐ monsoon
- 장마철 (jang-ma-cheol) ‐ monsoon season
- 물웅덩이 (mul-ung-deong-i) ‐ puddle
- 습하다 (seup-ha-da) ‐ to be humid
- 빗소리 (bit-so-ri) ‐ sound of rain
- 천둥 (cheon-dung) ‐ thunder
- 번개 (beon-gae) ‐ lightning
- 흐리다 (heu-ri-da) ‐ to be cloudy
- 는개 (neun-gae)‐Misty drizzle
- 장화 (jang-hwa)‐Rain boots
Rain doesn’t just fall in one way, and Koreans make sure to name each kind beautifully.
There’s something so comforting about learning words that match the mood of the weather. Whether you’re stepping into a light 이슬비 (i-seul-bi) or caught in a loud 비바람 (bi-ba-ram), now you’ll know exactly what to say, and maybe even impress your K-drama-loving friends!
Keep this list handy the next time the sky turns gray, and don’t forget your 우산 (u-san) ‐ umbrella!
다음에 또 만나요! (Da-eum-e tto man-na-yo) ‐ See you next time!
Written by Surabhi
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