비가 와요
bi-ga wayo[piɡa̠ wa̠jo]
The English phrase "it is raining" is translated into Korean as 비가 와요 (bi-ga wayo).
This phrase is used to describe the current weather when water is falling from the sky. Unlike English which uses the verb "to be" (it is raining), Korean uses the verb "to come" (비가 와요) to describe the occurrence of rain.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, 비가 와요 translates to "rain comes."
How does it change in a sentence?
Depending on the context, there are several ways to express this. 비가 와요 is in the polite informal style. For writing, diaries or when speaking to oneself, the plain form 비가 온다 is used. For close friends or people younger than you, you can use the casual/informal version 비가 와 or 비가 오고 있어. For news broadcasts or very formal settings, use 비가 옵니다, 비가 오고 있습니다 or 비가 내리고 있습니다. You can also ask a question by using 비가 왔어요? to mean "Did it rain?"
How do you pronounce it?
bi-ga wayo
Did you know?
- When it is raining, Koreans might suggest eating 파전 (savory pancake) and drinking 막걸리 (rice wine). This is because the sound of rain is said to mimic the sound of frying pancakes.
- The word 비 for 'rain' is a homonym for the word for 'secret'. In certain poetic contexts or wordplay, speakers may play with the double meaning of rain and secrets falling.
- In traditional Korean folklore, rain is sometimes viewed as a gift from the heavens. This perspective influences the use of 오다 (to come) as if the rain is a guest arriving at a home.
Examples in context
- 지금 비가 와요.jigeum biga wayo.It is raining now.
- 갑자기 비가 와요.gapjagi biga wayo.It is raining suddenly.
Example conversation
Subin and Jihun are talking about the weather near a cafe.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈 씨, 지금 비가 와요?Jihun ssi, jigeum biga wayo?Jihun, is it raining now?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 비가 와요.Ne, biga wayo.Yes, it is raining.
- 수빈 Su-bin우산을 가져왔어요?Usaneul gajyeowasseoyo?Did you bring an umbrella?
- 지훈 Ji-hun아니요, 안 가져왔어요.Aniyo, an gajyeowasseoyo.No, I didn't bring one.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 비가 와요, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
