L59. Lesson 59 — 雨 (rain)
Days 51-60
R-report
Lesson 59 — 雨 (rain)
How does the simple shape of 雨 help you remember its meaning 'rain'?
Meet the kanji: 雨
The kanji 雨 primarily means “rain.” It commonly appears alone as the noun for rain and in many weather-related compounds (e.g., 大雨 ‘heavy rain’, 雨天 ‘rainy weather’). As a weather word it’s very frequent in everyday speech and signage. Visually, 雨 shows a small mark at the top with an enclosing box and internal strokes that can be remembered as drops falling inside a roof-like shape. Learner takeaway: learn the basic reading あめ (ame) for standalone uses and recognize 雨 quickly in compounds about weather.
Readings, stroke notes, and writing tips
- 雨 — reading: あめ (ame) — rain. Example: 今日は雨です。きょうは あめ です。Today it's raining.
- 大雨 — reading: おおあめ (ōame / ooame) — heavy rain. Example: 昨夜は大雨でした。さくやは おおあめ でした。It was heavy rain last night.
- 小雨 — reading: こさめ (kosame) — light rain / drizzle. Example: あまり濡れないように小雨のときに出かけた。こさめ の とき に でかけた。I went out during a drizzle so I wouldn't get too wet.
- 雨天 — reading: うてん (uten) — rainy weather. Example: 雨天のため、イベントは中止になりました。うてん の ため、イベント は ちゅうし に なりました。Due to rainy weather, the event was canceled.
- 雨傘 — reading: あまがさ (amagasa) — umbrella (literally 'rain‑umbrella'). Example: 雨傘を忘れないでください。あまがさ を わすれないで ください。Please don't forget your umbrella.