Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Weather" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "weather", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
てんき
てんき (tenki)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
からっと
からっと (karatto)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "weather" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between てんき and からっと.
In Japanese, てんき (てんき (tenki)) is typically associated with "weather" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Refers to the general weather conditions. Often used with adjectives like 良い.
On the other hand, からっと (からっと (karatto)) maps to "1. (of weather) clear and dry; 2. (of food) crispy; 3. (of personality) cheerful, straightforward" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents An onomatopoeia describing a state of being dry, crisp, or a personality that is cheerful and open, without lingering negativity.. A literal translation of "weather" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "てんき"
今日の天気はどうですか。
How is the weather today?
Bilingual Context for "からっと"
洗濯物がからっと乾いたので、気持ちがいい。
The laundry dried completely, so it feels good.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "今日の天気はどうですか。" (Meaning: "How is the weather today?")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "てんき" fits here because it means "weather" in the context of: "How is the weather today?". "からっと" represents "1. (of weather) clear and dry; 2. (of food) crispy; 3. (of personality) cheerful, straightforward".