霧
[kʲiɾʲi]
The Japanese word for 'mist' is 霧.
霧 refers to a layer of fine droplets or particles. It can be used literally to describe weather or, in the figurative expression 霧の中で迷う, to mean 'to get lost in the mist'. While English speakers often distinguish between 'mist' and 'fog' based on density, the Japanese word 霧 covers both.
Meaning: a layer of fine droplets or particles (noun)
Which one should you use?
The choice of word often depends on the density of the moisture. 霧 is used for thicker fog or mist, whereas 靄 is used for a lighter, thinner haze or mist. You can describe a thick mist as 濃い霧 and a light mist as 薄い霞. Additionally, the term kasumi can also mean 'haze' or 'gauze' in certain contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Hokkaido and other northern regions of Japan, the expression もや is used for mist.
Did you know?
- In its earliest recorded use in the 8th-century *Kojiki*, the word 霧 did not describe weather, but instead referred to the 'breath' expelled from a person's mouth.
- Japanese poetry often uses 霧 specifically for autumn mist and 霞 for spring haze to evoke different seasonal emotions.
- In traditional Japanese art and ink wash painting, 霧 is used as a symbolic tool to represent the unknown or the boundary between the physical and spiritual worlds.
Examples in context
- 霧の中から突然船が現れた。A boat suddenly appeared out of the mist.This sentence shows how a boat can appear out of the 霧.Tatoeba #80853 by bunbuku, translation #322862 by Dejo
- 今まで胸にこみ合っていたさまざまの忿怒のかたちは、太陽の光に当った霧と消えてしまった。The anger that I had built up in me until then evaporated like a mist hit by the sun.This sentence uses 霧 to describe a feeling evaporating like mist hit by the sun.Tatoeba #605377 by Scott, translation #605378 by Scott
- 今日は霧が出ています。There is mist today.
- 山の上に霧が立ち込めている。Mist is gathering on top of the mountain.
- 霞が川を包んでいる。The mist is enveloping the river.
- 山の上は霧が深いです。Yama no ue wa kiri ga fukai desu.The mist is thick on top of the mountain.
Example conversation
Two hikers are walking up a mountain trail.
- 蓮 Ren霧で前がよく見えませんね。Kiri de mae ga yoku miemasen ne.I can't see well ahead because of the mist.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮さんは足元に気をつけて。Ren-san wa ashimoto ni ki o tsukete.Ren, please watch your step.
- 蓮 Renはい、美咲さんも大丈夫ですか？Hai, Misaki-san mo daijoubu desu ka?Yes, are you okay too, Misaki?
- 美咲 Misakiええ、大丈夫です。Ee, daijoubu desu.Yes, I am fine.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 霧, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 霧, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
