Weather is a universal conversation starter, and in Chinese, knowing how to describe it naturally can make you sound like a local. Whether you're planning a trip or just chatting with friends, these phrases will help you navigate small talk effortlessly.
Basic Weather Terms
天气
/tiān qì/“Weather”
The general term for weather. You’ll often hear questions like '今天天气怎么样？' (How’s the weather today?).
- 晴天 (qíng tiān) – Sunny
- 阴天 (yīn tiān) – Cloudy
- 下雨 (xià yǔ) – Rainy
- 下雪 (xià xuě) – Snowy
- 刮风 (guā fēng) – Windy
Describing Temperature
Talking about temperature is common, especially when planning outings or complaining about the heat.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 今天很热。 | It’s very hot today. |
| 今天很冷。 | It’s very cold today. |
| 不冷不热。 | Neither hot nor cold. |
Rain and Storms
Rainy days call for specific vocabulary. Here’s how to describe them naturally.
暴雨
/pɑʊ̯⁵¹ y²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/“Heavy rain”
Torrential rain, often used during storms or monsoons.
- 毛毛雨 (máo máo yǔ) – Drizzle
- 雷阵雨 (léi zhèn yǔ) – Thunderstorm
- 下冰雹 (xià bīng báo) – Hailing
Tip: If you’re caught in the rain, you might hear someone say '带伞了吗？' (Did you bring an umbrella?).
Seasonal Weather
Different seasons bring different weather patterns. Here’s how to talk about them.
- 春天 (chūn tiān) – Spring: Mild and often rainy.
- 夏天 (xià tiān) – Summer: Hot and humid, especially in southern China.
- 秋天 (qiū tiān) – Autumn: Cool and dry, with clear skies.
- 冬天 (dōng tiān) – Winter: Cold, with snow in northern regions.
Idiomatic Weather Expressions
Chinese has colourful idioms related to weather. These add flair to your speech.
风和日丽
/fēng hé rì lì/“Beautiful sunny weather”
Literally 'gentle wind and bright sun,' used to describe a perfect sunny day.
- 倾盆大雨 (qīng pén dà yǔ) – Rain pouring down like water from a basin (heavy rain).
- 寒风刺骨 (hán fēng cì gǔ) – A chilling wind that cuts to the bone.
For more everyday phrases, check out our guide on common Chinese mistakes to avoid.
Remember: Practice these phrases in real conversations. The more you use them, the more natural they’ll sound.
