Discussing the weather is a fundamental part of daily conversation in any language, and Korean is no exception. This guide provides essential Korean words and phrases for talking about various weather conditions, asking about the forecast, and understanding related cultural nuances, enabling you to engage in natural small talk about the weather in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Word
This is the most fundamental word you need to know when discussing the weather.
- Expression: 날씨
Pronunciation: nal-ssi
Meaning: Weather
Basic Weather Conditions
Learn these common words to describe the state of the weather.
- Expression: 맑아요
Pronunciation: mal-ga-yo
Meaning: It’s sunny/clear. - Expression: 흐려요
Pronunciation: heu-ryeo-yo
Meaning: It’s cloudy. - Expression: 비가 와요
Pronunciation: bi-ga wa-yo
Meaning: It’s raining. - Expression: 눈이 와요
Pronunciation: nun-i wa-yo
Meaning: It’s snowing. - Expression: 바람이 불어요
Pronunciation: ba-ram-i bul-eo-yo
Meaning: It’s windy. - Expression: 더워요
Pronunciation: deo-wo-yo
Meaning: It’s hot. - Expression: 추워요
Pronunciation: chu-wo-yo
Meaning: It’s cold. - Expression: 따뜻해요
Pronunciation: tta-tteut-hae-yo
Meaning: It’s warm. - Expression: 시원해요
Pronunciation: si-won-hae-yo
Meaning: It’s cool/refreshing. - Expression: 습해요
Pronunciation: seup-hae-yo
Meaning: It’s humid. - Expression: 건조해요
Pronunciation: geon-jo-hae-yo
Meaning: It’s dry. - Expression: 안개가 꼈어요
Pronunciation: an-gae-ga kkyeoss-eo-yo
Meaning: It’s foggy.
Asking About the Weather
Use these questions to inquire about current or future weather conditions.
- Expression: 오늘 날씨 어때요?
Pronunciation: o-neul nal-ssi eo-ttae-yo?
Meaning: How’s the weather today? - Expression: 내일 날씨는 어떨까요?
Pronunciation: nae-il nal-ssi-neun eo-tteol-kka-yo?
Meaning: What will the weather be like tomorrow? - Expression: 일기예보 봤어요?
Pronunciation: il-gi-ye-bo bwass-eo-yo?
Meaning: Did you see the weather forecast? - Expression: 지금 밖에 비 와요?
Pronunciation: ji-geum bakk-e bi wa-yo?
Meaning: Is it raining outside now? - Expression: 내일 춥대요?
Pronunciation: nae-il chup-dae-yo?
Meaning: Did they say it will be cold tomorrow? / I heard it will be cold tomorrow. - Expression: 이번 주말 날씨 좋아요?
Pronunciation: i-beon ju-mal nal-ssi jo-a-yo?
Meaning: Is the weather good this weekend? - Expression: 기온이 몇 도예요?
Pronunciation: gi-on-i myeot do-ye-yo?
Meaning: What’s the temperature? - Expression: 비 올 것 같아요?
Pronunciation: bi ol geot gat-a-yo?
Meaning: Does it look like it will rain? - Expression: 눈 올 확률이 있어요?
Pronunciation: nun ol hwang-nyul-i iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Is there a chance of snow? - Expression: 오늘 최고 기온이 몇 도예요?
Pronunciation: o-neul choe-go gi-on-i myeot do-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the high temperature today? - Expression: 오늘 최저 기온이 몇 도예요?
Pronunciation: o-neul choe-jeo gi-on-i myeot do-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the low temperature today?
Describing Weather Changes and Intensity
These phrases help you talk about how the weather is changing or describe its intensity.
- Expression: 날씨가 점점 더워져요.
Pronunciation: nal-ssi-ga jeom-jeom deo-wo-jyeo-yo.
Meaning: The weather is getting hotter. - Expression: 날씨가 점점 추워져요.
Pronunciation: nal-ssi-ga jeom-jeom chu-wo-jyeo-yo.
Meaning: The weather is getting colder. - Expression: 갑자기 비가 오기 시작했어요.
Pronunciation: gap-ja-gi bi-ga o-gi si-jak-haess-eo-yo.
Meaning: It suddenly started raining. - Expression: 바람이 강하게 불어요.
Pronunciation: ba-ram-i gang-ha-ge bul-eo-yo.
Meaning: The wind is blowing strongly. - Expression: 비가 그쳤어요.
Pronunciation: bi-ga geu-chyeoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: The rain stopped. - Expression: 눈이 많이 와요. (폭설이에요)
Pronunciation: nun-i man-i wa-yo. (pok-seor-i-e-yo)
Meaning: It’s snowing a lot. (It’s heavy snow) - Expression: 비가 많이 와요. (폭우예요)
Pronunciation: bi-ga man-i wa-yo. (pok-u-ye-yo)
Meaning: It’s raining a lot. (It’s heavy rain/downpour) - Expression: 이슬비가 내려요.
Pronunciation: i-seul-bi-ga nae-ryeo-yo.
Meaning: It’s drizzling. - Expression: 날씨가 개었어요.
Pronunciation: nal-ssi-ga gae-eoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: The weather has cleared up. - Expression: 하늘이 맑아졌어요.
Pronunciation: ha-neul-i mal-ga-jyeoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: The sky has become clear. - Expression: 오늘은 날씨가 변덕스러워요.
Pronunciation: o-neu-reun nal-ssi-ga byeon-deok-seu-reo-wo-yo.
Meaning: The weather is unpredictable today. - Expression: 무더위예요.
Pronunciation: mu-deo-wi-ye-yo.
Meaning: It’s scorching hot / sweltering heat.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding these cultural points can enhance your weather-related conversations.
- Small Talk Staple: Like in many cultures, discussing the weather (날씨 이야기 – nalssi iyagi) is a very common and safe topic for small talk in Korea, used to initiate conversations with strangers or colleagues.
- Seasonal Sensitivity: Koreans often express strong feelings associated with the distinct four seasons. Conversations might include comments about enjoying spring blossoms (봄꽃 – bomkkot), enduring summer heat (더위 – deowi) or humidity (습기 – seupggi), appreciating autumn foliage (단풍 – danpung), or bracing for winter cold (추위 – chuwi).
- Typhoon Season (태풍 – Taepung): During late summer/early autumn, Korea can experience typhoons. Weather reports and conversations often focus on typhoon warnings and potential impact.
- Yellow Dust (황사 – Hwangsa) & Fine Dust (미세먼지 – Misemeonji): Particularly in spring, conversations often turn to air quality due to yellow dust from China and Mongolia, or year-round fine dust pollution. People check air quality levels (often via apps) and discuss wearing masks (마스크 – maseukeu).
- “Cool” vs. “Cold”: While 시원해요 (siwonhaeyo) means “cool” and is generally positive (like a cool breeze on a warm day), 추워요 (chuwoyo) means “cold” and usually implies discomfort.
Real Conversation Example
Here’s a typical conversation about the weather between two colleagues.
- Situation: Sunmi and Minjun meet in the office hallway in the morning.
- Roles: A: Sunmi, B: Minjun
- Expression: A: 민준 씨, 안녕하세요! 오늘 날씨 정말 좋네요.
Pronunciation: min-jun ssi, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo! o-neul nal-ssi jeong-mal jon-ne-yo.
Meaning: A: Hello, Minjun! The weather is really nice today, isn’t it? - Expression: B: 네, 선미 씨. 안녕하세요. 맞아요, 아침에 나올 때 정말 상쾌했어요.
Pronunciation: ne, seon-mi ssi. an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. maj-a-yo, a-chim-e na-ol ttae jeong-mal sang-kwae-haess-eo-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, Sunmi. Hello. That’s right, it felt really refreshing when I came out this morning. - Expression: A: 어제는 하루 종일 흐렸는데 오늘은 맑아서 기분도 좋아요.
Pronunciation: eo-je-neun ha-ru jong-il heu-ryeonn-neun-de o-neu-reun mal-ga-seo gi-bun-do jo-a-yo.
Meaning: A: Yesterday it was cloudy all day, but since it’s clear today, I feel good too. - Expression: B: 맞아요. 혹시 내일 날씨 예보 봤어요? 주말에 등산 가려고 하는데.
Pronunciation: maj-a-yo. hok-si nae-il nal-ssi ye-bo bwass-eo-yo? ju-mar-e deung-san ga-ryeo-go ha-neun-de.
Meaning: B: That’s right. By any chance, did you see the weather forecast for tomorrow? I’m planning to go hiking this weekend. - Expression: A: 아, 잠깐 봤는데 주말까지는 계속 맑을 거라고 했어요. 기온도 적당하고요.
Pronunciation: a, jam-kkan bwann-neun-de ju-mal-kka-ji-neun gye-sok mal-geul geo-ra-go haess-eo-yo. gi-on-do jeok-dang-ha-go-yo.
Meaning: A: Oh, I saw it briefly, and they said it would stay clear through the weekend. The temperature is moderate too. - Expression: B: 다행이네요! 알려줘서 고마워요. 그럼 등산 가기 딱 좋겠어요.
Pronunciation: da-haeng-i-ne-yo! al-lyeo-jwo-seo go-ma-wo-yo. geu-reom deung-san ga-gi ttak jo-kess-eo-yo.
Meaning: B: That’s fortunate! Thanks for letting me know. Then it should be perfect for hiking.
Practice Tips
Mastering weather expressions comes with practice~! Try checking the daily weather forecast in Korean (일기예보 – ilgi yebo). You can find this easily online or through Korean news sites. Describe the weather outside your window each day using the phrases you’ve learned. Don’t hesitate to use these expressions as conversation starters – asking “오늘 날씨 어때요?” is a great way to practice and connect with others! Fighting! (화이팅! – hwaiting!)
