雲
kumo[kɯ̟mo̞]
The English phrase "clouds" is translated into Japanese as 雲 (kumo).
雲 is the standard term for clouds. For a more specific, poetic or formal description of a "sea of clouds" seen from a high altitude, the compound word 雲海 is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
When clouds are the subject of a sentence, the particle が is typically used after 雲, forming 雲が.
Did you know?
- The phrase 雲を掴む (to grab a cloud) is used as an idiom to describe a goal that is unrealistic or a plan that is completely vague.
- In Japanese folklore, certain types of 雲 are believed to be the manifestations of dragons, who are thought to control the weather and the movement of clouds.
- In Japanese, if you want to describe a 'cloudy' sky, you do not use the word for clouds, but rather the adjective 曇り (kumori).
Examples in context
- 雲が流れていく。The clouds are rolling away.This sentence is useful for describing clouds rolling away using 雲.Tatoeba #189369 by KK_kaku_, translation #26521 by auxitt
- 雨雲のようだね。Those look like rain clouds.This sentence is useful for describing clouds that look like rain using 雲.Tatoeba #10098202 by small_snow, translation #9738008 by CK
- 雨雲が出てるよ。Those are rain clouds.This sentence is useful for stating that rain clouds are present using 雲.Tatoeba #10098204 by small_snow, translation #9504535 by shekitten
- 空に白い 雲 が浮かんでいます。There are white clouds floating in the sky.
- 雲 が太陽を隠しています。The clouds are hiding the sun.
- 山頂から 雲海 が広がっています。A sea of clouds is spreading from the mountaintop.
- 53 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is looking at the sky during a walk in the park.
- 美咲 Misakiあの雲、とても大きくて白いね。Ano kumo, totemo ookikute shiroi ne.Those clouds are very large and white, aren't they?
- 陽太 Yota本当だ。きれいな雲だね。Hontou da. Kirei na kumo da ne.You're right. They are beautiful clouds.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太君、写真に撮ってもいい？Youta-kun, shashin ni totte mo ii?Youta, can I take a photo?
- 陽太 Yotaもちろん、いいよ。Mochiron, ii yo.Of course, go ahead.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 雲, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
