悪天候
akutenkō[a̠kɯ̟tẽ̞ŋko̞ː]
The Japanese phrase for bad weather is 悪天候 (akutenkō).
悪天候 is a noun used to describe undesirable weather. It is typically employed in formal contexts such as news reports, flight announcements or official warnings.
Meaning: undesirable weather (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the kanji 悪 (bad) and 天候 (weather).
Which one should you use?
While 悪天候 is a formal noun, the phrase 天気が悪い is a more common, conversational way to say that the weather is bad. Additionally, ひどい天候 is a formal expression specifically meaning terrible weather, whereas ひどい天気だね is an informal conversational phrase meaning the weather is terrible, isn't it?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
悪天候 is a formal term. For a formal way to say terrible weather, you can use ひどい天候. In informal, everyday conversation, you might use 天気が悪い to say the weather is bad or the conversational phrase ひどい天気だね to remark that the weather is terrible.
How do you pronounce it?
akutenkō
Did you know?
- The kanji 悪 in 悪天候 can also mean 'evil' or 'wicked', though in this context it simply means 'bad' or 'unpleasant'.
- In Japanese culture, complaining about 悪い天気 'bad weather' is a common social 'lubricant' used to start a conversation with strangers or acquaintances.
- The kanji for 'weather' in 天候, the character 天, is the same character used in the word for 'angel' or 'heaven'.
Examples in context
- 悪天候で飛行機が遅れた。The plane was delayed on account of bad weather.This sentence shows how to express that a plane was delayed due to 悪天候.Tatoeba #191396 by bunbuku, translation #28558 by CM
- 悪天候が多くの事故を招いた。The bad weather caused many accidents.This sentence demonstrates how 悪天候 can be the cause of many accidents.Tatoeba #9120062 by small_snow, translation #9117005 by yanders
- 悪天候のため私は出かけられなかった。I couldn't go out on account of the bad weather.This sentence uses 悪天候 to explain why someone was unable to go out.Tatoeba #191383 by bunbuku, translation #28545 by CK
- 今日の悪い天気により、外出はお控えください。Due to today's bad weather, please refrain from going outside.
- 明日はひどい天気だね、遊びに行くのはやめよう。Tomorrow's weather is terrible, let's not go out to play.
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are talking about their outdoor plans being cancelled.
- 健太 Kenta悪天候で、キャンプは中止だね。Akutenkou de, kyanpu wa chuushi dane.Because of the bad weather, the camping trip is cancelled, isn't it?
- 結衣 Yui残念だけど、仕方ないね。Zannen dakedo, shikatanai ne.It's a shame, but it can't be helped.
- 健太 Kenta結衣、家でゆっくりしよう。Yui, ie de yukkuri shiyou.Yui, let's just relax at home.
- 結衣 Yuiそうだね、それが一番だよ。Sou dane, sore ga ichiban dayo.You're right, that's the best idea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bad weather” translations and entries 悪天候, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
