雪
yuki[jɯ̟kʲi]
Snow in Japanese is 雪 (yuki).
The term 雪 refers to snow in its various forms, such as the falling flakes or the accumulation of snow 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?
Additionally, if you are referring specifically to accumulated snow or snow sitting on the ground, the word 積雪 (sekisetsu) is used.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Hokkaido, the term neyuki is used to describe thick snow that accumulates and lingers on the ground.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
yuki
When do people say it?
Japanese has many specific words related to snow-related activities and scenery, such as 雪景色 (yukigeshiki) for a snowscape or snowy scenery, 雪だるま (yukidaruma) for a snowman, 雪合戦 (yukigassen) for a snowball fight and スノーボード (sunōbōdo) for snowboarding.
Did you know?
- A Japanese snowman is called a 雪だるま (yukidaruma), which literally means 'snow Daruma'. These are traditionally shaped like the round, limb-less Zen Buddhist dolls used for goal-setting.
- The word 雪合戦 (yukigassen) for 'snowball fight' contains the character for 'battle' or 'war' 戦. This frames the activity as a strategic military engagement rather than just play.
- In the ancient poetry collection Man'yōshū, the word for 'snow' was recorded as yo₂ki₁ in the eastern dialects, a version quite different from the modern yuki.
Examples in context
- 雪は消えた。The snow has disappeared.This sentence shows the use of 雪 to describe snow that has disappeared.Tatoeba #141968 by bunbuku, translation #272602 by CK
- 雪がとけた。The snow has melted.This sentence shows the use of 雪 to describe snow that has melted.Tatoeba #12716898 by small_snow, translation #838700 by Scott
- 今日は雪です。It'll snow today.This sentence shows the use of 雪 to state that it is snowing today.Tatoeba #171563 by small_snow, translation #593253 by CK
- 406 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are looking out the window at a winter morning.
- 健太 Kenta外は雪が降っていますね。Soto wa yuki ga futte imasu ne.It is snowing outside, isn't it?
- 結衣 Yui本当ですね。とても綺麗です。Hontou desu ne. Totemo kirei desu.It really is. It's very beautiful.
- 健太 Kenta結衣さんは雪が好きですか？Yui-san wa yuki ga suki desu ka?Yui, do you like snow?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、大好きです！Hai, daisuki desu!Yes, I love it!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snow” translations and entries 雪, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 雪, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
