雪
yuki[jɯ̟kʲi]
雪 (yuki) is the Japanese word for snow.
雪 refers to the crystalline state of water falling from the atmosphere as precipitation, the act of such flakes falling or the white layer that accumulates on the ground.
Meaning: partly frozen, crystalline state of water that falls from the atmosphere as precipitation in flakes, falling of such flakes, accumulation of them as a white layer (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 雪 refers to the substance of snow itself, the noun 降雪 is used to describe the phenomenon of snowfall, which is common in formal contexts like weather reports. Additionally, if you want to refer specifically to the depth or amount of snow that has accumulated on the ground, use the term 積雪.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of snow falling, you can use the verb 降る with the particle が, forming the phrase 雪が降る.
How do you pronounce it?
yuki
Did you know?
- The term 雪見 refers to the traditional activity of 'snow viewing', where people intentionally gather to admire the beauty of falling or accumulated 雪.
- In Japanese culture, the word 雪 can evoke a sense of transience or 'mono no aware', a beautiful but fleeting sadness associated with nature.
- The kanji for snow, 雪, is composed of the radical for 'rain' (雨) at the top, visually signaling its nature as a form of precipitation.
Examples in context
- 雪は消えた。The snow has disappeared.This sentence shows how to use 雪.Tatoeba #141968 by bunbuku, translation #272602 by CK
- 雪がとけた。The snow has melted.Tatoeba #12716898 by small_snow, translation #838700 by Scott
- 今日は雪です。It'll snow today.Tatoeba #171563 by small_snow, translation #593253 by CK
- 今日は ゆき がたくさん降っている。There is a lot of snow falling today.
- 406 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are looking out the window at a winter morning.
- 大翔 Hiroto見て、雪が降っているよ。Mite, yuki ga futte iru yo.Look, it is snowing.
- 美咲 Misaki本当だ、すごい雪だね。Hontou da, sugoi yuki da ne.You're right, it's a lot of snow.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲は雪が好き？Misaki wa yuki ga suki?Misaki, do you like snow?
- 美咲 Misakiうん、大好きだよ。Un, daisuki da yo.Yes, I love it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snow” translations and entries 雪, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
