曇り
kumori[kɯ̟mo̞ɾʲi]
The English phrase "cloudy" is translated into Japanese as 曇り (kumori).
曇り is used to describe weather that is covered with or characterized by clouds.
Meaning: covered with or characterised by clouds (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 曇り is the standard way to describe cloudy conditions, 曇天 is a more formal and technical term often found in literature or professional weather reports to describe overcast skies.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun 曇り can be converted into the verb 曇る to describe the action of the sky becoming cloudy. You can also create the compound noun 曇り空 by adding the suffix 空 (sky) to 曇り to specifically refer to a cloudy sky.
How do you pronounce it?
kumori
Did you know?
- In Japanese, 曇り can describe the loss of luster on a high-end pearl or gemstone, effectively meaning the stone has become 'cloudy'.
- A person's heart or mood can be described as 曇り to indicate they are feeling gloomy or unsettled.
- The verb 曇る is the standard term used when eyeglasses fog up from steam or breath, rather than a word specifically for 'fog'.
Examples in context
- 曇りの日です。It's a cloudy day.This sentence is useful for describing a cloudy day using 曇り.Tatoeba #123255 by bunbuku, translation #280744 by CK
- 今日は曇りです。It's cloudy today.This sentence is useful for stating that it is cloudy today using 曇り.Tatoeba #171795 by small_snow, translation #242680 by CK
- 曇り時々雨でした。It was cloudy, with occasional rain.This sentence is useful for describing weather that was cloudy with occasional rain using 曇り.Tatoeba #123254 by KK_kaku_, translation #539840 by blay_paul
- 明日の天気は曇りでしょう。The weather tomorrow will be cloudy, I suppose.
- 今日はくもりだ。Today is cloudy.
- 明日の天気はくもりそう。Looks like the weather will be cloudy tomorrow.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about the weather before going outside.
- 結衣 Yui外は曇りかな？soto wa kumori kana?Is it cloudy outside?
- 蓮 Renうん、少し曇っているよ。un, sukoshi kumotte iru yo.Yeah, it is a little cloudy.
- 結衣 Yui雨は降らないかな？ame wa furanai kana?I wonder if it will rain.
- 蓮 Ren予報では降らないって。yohou dewa furanai tte.The forecast says it won't rain.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 曇り, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
