Zaa-zaa? Shito-shito? Let’s Learn Japanese Onomatopoeia for Rain

The rainy season is just around the corner.
In Japan, June brings many rainy days, and the sky often stays wet and quiet.
In fact, Kyushu has already entered the rainy season earlier than usual.

Rainy season forecast for 2025

Did you know there are many Japanese onomatopoeia words to describe how rain falls?
For example,Words like “shito-shito,” “zaa-zaa,” and “potsu-potsu” etc.
All express different sounds and intensities of rain.

List of Rain-Related Onomatopoeia Words

These words are fun to say, and easy to remember because of their rhythm and sound.
At the same time, they give you a glimpse into the Japanese sense of nature and culture.

In this article, you’ll learn a variety of Japanese expressions related to rain.
If you’re studying Japanese or simply love rainy days, you’ll enjoy these examples!

Gentle or Light Rain

Words like “shito-shito” and “potsu-potsu” describe gentle, soft rain.
They often have a calm, soothing rhythm and are perfect for peaceful rainy days.

Heavy Rain

On the other hand, words like “zaa-zaa” and “doshaburi” describe strong, heavy rain.
It’s the kind of rain that soaks you even with an umbrella!
These words are intense and leave a vivid impression.

List of onomatopoeic words

Japanese	Romaji	English	Chinese	Explanation
しとしと	shito-shito	Drizzling softly	细雨绵绵 淅淅沥沥	Gentle and quiet rain.
ぽつぽつ	potsu-potsu	drizzle/sprinkle	滴滴答答	Raindrops falling one by one.
ぱらぱら	para-para	spit/sprinkle	淅淅沥沥 下毛毛雨	Light rain falling sparsely.
しょぼしょぼ	syobo-syobo	Drizzling continuously	绵绵不断的小雨	Light rain falling steadily for a long time.
ぽつんぽつん	potsun-potsun	falling in drops	一滴一滴地落	Raindrops falling at intervals.
ザーザー	zaa-zaa	heavy rainfall	哗哗的大雨	Strong, noisy rain.
じゃーじゃー	jaa-jaa	heavy rainfall	哗哗的大雨	Strong, noisy rain.
ざー	zaa	Sudden burst of rain	哗的一声下大雨	Impression of strong rainfall all at once.
どしゃぶり	dosyaburi	Downpour	倾盆大雨	Intense rain that comes down like a flood.

Common Japanese Rain-Related Expressions.

Rain in Culture and Daily Life.

In additional,Besides onomatopoeia, Japanese also uses many expressions to describe rain.
These phrases reflect Japan’s seasonal climate and cultural sensitivity.

Japanese	Romaji	English	Chinese	Explanation
にわか雨	niwaka-ame	rain shower	阵雨	Rain that starts and stops quickly.
狐の嫁入り	kitsune no yomeiri	Sun shower	太阳雨	Rain while the sun is shining, based on folklore.
梅雨	tsuyu	Rainy season	梅雨季	Japan’s early summer season of continuous rain (June–July)
ゲリラ豪雨	Gerira- gouu	Sudden torrential rain	强阵雨 突发性暴雨	Difficult to predict,Heavy rainfall that falls suddenly over a small area.
バケツをひっくり返したような雨	baketsu wo hikkurikaeshita you na am	Downpour	倾盆大雨	A metaphor for extremely heavy rain.

Which Rain Expression Do You Like Best?

The Japanese offers many expressive ways to describe rain.
By learning these sounds and phrases, rainy days might become a little more enjoyable.

Each word carries the feelings and culture of people who have lived with nature.
Next time it rains, try listening closely to the sound.
What kind of rain would you hear.
And how would you describe it in Japanese?

→Enjoy learning in a relaxed, easy way.