梅雨
tsuyu[t͡sɨjɯ̟]
The English phrase 'rainy season' can be translated into Japanese as 梅雨 (tsuyu) or 雨季.
Meaning: portion of the year when rainfall amounts are greatest (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 梅雨 | tsuyu | [t͡sɨjɯ̟] (narrow) [ba̠iɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 雨季 | uki | [ɯ̟kʲi] (narrow) |
The term describes the portion of the year when rainfall amounts are greatest. You may encounter the compound noun 梅雨入り (tsuyu-iri) to describe the official start of the season, or 梅雨明け (tsuyu-ake) to describe its end.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 梅雨 literally means 'plum rain' because the season coincides with the ripening of plums.
Which one should you use?
Use 梅雨 when referring specifically to the seasonal rainy period in Japan. In contrast, use 雨季 as a general term for a rainy season in any tropical or subtropical climate.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'the rainy season is coming', you can use the verb 来る (kuru) with the particle が (ga), forming the phrase 梅雨が来る.
How do you pronounce it?
tsuyu
Did you know?
- The original Chinese spelling of 梅雨 may have been 黴雨, which literally means 'mold rain' due to the extreme humidity of the season.
- The term 梅雨 might not actually be related to 'plums' at all, but could instead stem from the classical verb 熟ゆ, meaning 'to become ripe'.
Examples in context
- 梅雨に入った。The rainy season has set in.This sentence is useful for saying that the season has begun using 梅雨.Tatoeba #121517 by small_snow, translation #26682 by CK
- 梅雨はいつ明けるの？When will the rainy season be over?This sentence is useful for asking when the season will end using 梅雨.Tatoeba #121513 by small_snow, translation #282492 by CK
- もうすぐ梅雨入りだ。The rainy season is near at hand.This sentence is useful for saying the season is approaching using 梅雨.Tatoeba #194426 by small_snow, translation #31600 by AlanF_US
- 今日から梅雨が始まりました。Today, the rainy season has started.
- 今年の梅雨は長く感じました。I felt like this year's rainy season was long.
- 梅雨の間、いつも傘を持って出かけます。During the rainy season, I always carry an umbrella when I go out.
- 明日からはもう梅雨入りだそうです。It seems that the rainy season will start from tomorrow.
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends talking about the weather at a cafe.
- 美咲 Misaki梅雨は嫌い？tsuyu wa kirai?Do you hate the rainy season?
- 健太 Kenta洗濯物が乾かないから苦手だよ。sentakumono ga kawakanai kara nigate da yo.I'm not good with it because the laundry doesn't dry.
- 美咲 Misakiわかる。湿気がすごいよね。wakaru. shikke ga sugoi yo ne.I know. The humidity is intense, isn't it?
- 健太 Kenta本当に、早く晴れてほしい。hontou ni, hayaku harete hoshii.Seriously, I want it to clear up soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rainy season” translations and entries 梅雨, 雨季, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 梅雨, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
