雨 — meaning in English: rain

yǔ · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for rain

雨

yǔ

排序

páixù

林

lín

继承

jìchéng

王国

wángguó

Skip this question

🎓

Learn Mandarin Chinese for free

Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.

Start learning →

Already have an account? Log in

neutral very common

Usage

Native speakers use the word 雨 (yǔ) in everyday conversations when discussing the weather, especially during the rainy season. For instance, a parent might tell their child to bring an umbrella because it's going to rain, or friends might plan an outing, checking the forecast for rain before finalizing their plans.

Synonyms & nuances

The word 雨 (yǔ) specifically means 'rain', while other words like 降雨 (jiàngyǔ) refer to 'precipitation' more generally. You would choose 雨 (yǔ) in casual conversations about specific rainfall events, while 降雨 (jiàngyǔ) might be used in meteorological contexts.

Culture

The character 雨 (yǔ) has its roots in ancient Chinese culture, symbolizing not just precipitation but also prosperity and growth. In traditional Chinese agriculture, rain was seen as a blessing, crucial for crop cultivation, which has made it an important part of cultural expressions and idioms reflecting gratitude for nature's gifts.

FAQ

Q.How do you say 'it's raining' in Mandarin?

You can say '下雨了' (xià yǔ le) to mean 'it's raining'. This phrase is used when you want to inform someone that rain has started.

Q.What is the character for rain in Mandarin?

The character for rain is 雨 (yǔ). It's a simple yet essential character that appears in many related words and phrases in Mandarin.

Q.Are there different types of rain in Mandarin?

Yes, Mandarin has specific terms for different types or intensities of rain, such as 小雨 (xiǎo yǔ) for 'light rain' and 大雨 (dà yǔ) for 'heavy rain'.

Learn mandarin chinese with Maspeak →

Chinese (Mandarin) 2000