嵐
arashi[a̠ɾa̠ɕi]
The English word 'tempest' can be translated into Japanese as 嵐 (arashi). If unsure, use 嵐. Wiktionary also lists 荒れ (are).
Meaning: storm (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 嵐 | arashi | [a̠ɾa̠ɕi] (narrow) |
| 荒れ | are | [a̠ɾe̞] (narrow) |
嵐 (arashi) is a noun used to describe a storm. This applies to literal weather events as well as metaphorical storms, such as a turbulent period in life or a storm of criticism.
Which one should you use?
嵐 is a noun that refers to the storm itself. In contrast, the form 荒れ is used to describe the state of the weather being stormy or rough, as it is the stem of the verb 荒れる.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 荒れ is the stem of the verb 荒れる, which is used to express that the weather is becoming stormy or rough.
How do you pronounce it?
arashi
Did you know?
- The word 嵐 can be written with a character that originated from the Middle Chinese word 嵐, meaning 'mountain mist'.
- The word 嵐 (arashi) is not just a weather term but was famously used as the stage name for one of the most successful boy bands in Japanese history.
- In Japanese, the verb 荒れる used to form 荒れ describes not just stormy weather but also a person's skin when it becomes chapped or rough.
Examples in context
- 彼の心は嵐のように荒れ狂っている。His heart is raging like a tempest.
- 彼女の人生は常に嵐のような出来事で満ちている。Her life is constantly filled with tempestuous events.
- 彼の激しい怒りは雷鳴のような音と共に嵐を生み出した。His intense anger created a tempest accompanied by thunderous sounds.
- 嵐が来るA storm is coming
- 嵐が来る前に家に帰りましょう。Arashi ga kuru mae ni ie ni kaerimashou.Let's go home before the storm comes.
- あの嵐の音を聞きましたか？Ano arashi no oto o kikimashita ka?Did you hear the sound of that storm?
Example conversation
Two siblings are looking out the window at the bad weather.
- 陽葵 Himari外はすごい嵐だよ。Soto wa sugoi arashi da yo.It is a huge storm outside.
- 陽太 Yota本当だ、風が強いね。Honto da, kaze ga tsuyoi ne.You're right, the wind is strong.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太、窓を閉めて。Youta, mado o shimete.Youta, close the window.
- 陽太 Yotaわかったよ、陽葵。Wakatta yo, Himari.Okay, Himari.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tempest” translations and entries 嵐, 荒れ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 嵐, 荒れ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
