Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 날씨 | nalssi | [na̠ɭɕ͈i] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 일기 | ilgi | [iɭɡi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term 날씨 is the most common and straightforward way to refer to the weather. You can use adjectives like 맑다 for clear, 흐리다 for cloudy, 더워 for hot or 추워 for cold to describe atmospheric conditions. For extreme weather, you might use 폭염 for a heatwave or 한파 for a cold wave. You can also describe the seasons using 봄 (spring), 여름 (summer), 가을 (autumn) and 겨울 (winter).
Which one should you use?
While 날씨 refers to general weather, 일기 is used in more technical or formal contexts, such as a weather report or a meteorological record. Note that 기후 is the specific term used when discussing the overall climate or weather patterns of a certain area.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using 날씨 as the subject of a sentence, it is often followed by the subject marker 가, appearing as 날씨가.
How do you pronounce it?
nalssi
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to confuse the technical term 일기 (weather report/meteorological record) with its homonym 일기, which means "diary". Context will help you distinguish between the two.
Did you know?
- The word 날씨 is built from the words for 'day' and 'seed' or 'breed'. It literally suggests the 'seed of the day', implying the atmospheric essence that grows from the day's start.
- When talking about extreme heat, Koreans use the term 폭염, which literally means 'exploding heat'.
- In Korean culture, talking about 날씨 is one of the most common ways to initiate a polite conversation with a stranger to avoid awkward silence.
Examples in context
- 날씨가 좋으면 내일 갈게.I'll go tomorrow if the weather is good.This sentence is useful for expressing a conditional plan based on the weather using 날씨.Tatoeba #11104840 by intertime, translation #2640900 by CK
- 나는 추운 날씨를 싫어한다.I dislike cold weather.This sentence is useful for expressing a dislike for specific weather conditions using 날씨.Tatoeba #7497221 by raining211, translation #256711 by CK
- 내일 날씨가 어떨지 궁금해.I wonder what the weather will be tomorrow.This sentence is useful for expressing curiosity about future weather using 날씨.Tatoeba #10759788 by amykeem, translation #323139 by CK
- 오늘 날씨가 좋네요.The weather is nice today.
- 서울의 기후는 봄에는 따뜻하고 여름에는 더워요.The climate in Seoul is warm in spring and hot in summer.
- 오늘 날씨 어때?How's the weather today?
- 오늘은 더워!It's hot today!
- 겨울은 언제나 추워.Winter is always cold.
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their weekend plans over the phone.
- 지은 Ji-eun이번 주말 날씨가 어때?ibeon jumal nalssiga eottae?How is the weather this weekend?
- 도현 Do-hyeon비가 온다고 들었어.biga ondago deureosseo.I heard it is going to rain.
- 지은 Ji-eun그럼 집에 있어야겠네.geureom jibe isseoyagessne.Then I should stay at home.
- 도현 Do-hyeon응, 날씨가 나쁘면 다음에 만나자.eung, nalssiga nappeumyeon daeume mannaja.Yeah, let's meet next time if the weather is bad.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “weather” translations and entries 날씨, 일기, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 날씨, 일기, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
