비
bi[pi]
The Korean word for rain is 비 (bi).
비 is the standard and most commonly used word for rain in Korean. To express the action of raining, Koreans use the phrase 비가 오다, which literally translates to "rain comes". In spoken language, you will frequently hear the phrase 비온다 to mean "it's raining".
Meaning: an instance of particles falling (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 비가 오다 is composed of 비 (rain) and 오다 (to come).
Which one should you use?
While 비 refers to rain in general, if you want to describe a sudden rain shower, you should use the specific term 소나기.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using 비 as the subject of a sentence, the subject marker 가 is attached to form 비가.
How do you pronounce it?
bi
Did you know?
- The modern word 비 may have its ancient roots in a Tungusic word, *pigi, meaning 'to blow' or 'rain'.
- Because Korean has many homonyms, 비 can also mean 'bee', 'monument', 'cost', or 'non-'.
Examples in context
- 비가 올 것 같아.It looks like it'll rain.This sentence is useful for expressing a prediction about rain using 비.Tatoeba #4965444 by rainbow4us, translation #1447952 by CK
- 비가 올 것 같네요.It looks like it's going to rain.Tatoeba #6820038 by yesjustryan, translation #519332 by CM
- 내일 비가 안오면 좋겠는데.It'd be good if it wouldn't rain tomorrow.This sentence is useful for expressing a wish about rain using 비.Tatoeba #4737188 by rainbow4us, translation #5099512 by chris3spice
- 오늘 비 와요.It's raining today.
- 비 좀 왔으면 좋겠어요.I hope it rains a little.
- 오늘부터 이틀 동안 소나기가 올 것입니다.Showers are expected for the next two days.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Subin and Dohyun are talking about the weather before a walk.
- 수빈 Su-bin지금 비가 와요?jigeum biga wayo?Is it raining now?
- 도현 Do-hyeon아니요, 비는 안 와요.aniyo, bineun an wayo.No, it is not raining.
- 수빈 Su-bin다행이네요. 비 오면 안 되는데.dahaeng-ineyo. bi omyeon an doeneunde.That's a relief. It shouldn't rain.
- 도현 Do-hyeon수빈 씨, 조금 이따가 비가 올 수도 있어요.Subin-ssi, jogeum ittaga biga ol sudo isseoyo.Subin, it might rain a little later.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 비, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 비, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
