Talking about the weather

Say 날씨가 좋아요 (nalssiga joayo, "The weather is nice"). For extra enthusiasm, try 날씨가 정말 좋네요 (nalssiga jeongmal jonneyo, "What lovely weather!"). Koreans often open conversations with weather talk, so it's a handy phrase even with people you've just met.

Ask 날씨 어때요? (nalssi eottaeyo, "How's the weather?"). For tomorrow, say 내일 날씨 어때요? (naeil nalssi eottaeyo). To ask about rain, say 오늘 비 와요? (oneul bi wayo, "Is it raining today?"). A weather forecast is 일기예보 (ilgiyebo) or 날씨 예보 (nalssi yebo).

Hot is 더워요 (deowoyo), and cold is 추워요 (chuwoyo). For extremes, say 너무 더워요 (neomu deowoyo, "It's so hot") or 너무 추워요 (neomu chuwoyo, "It's so cold"). Warm is 따뜻해요 (ttatteutaeyo), and pleasantly cool is 시원해요 (siwonhaeyo). These words work for both weather and rooms.

Say 비가 와요 (biga wayo, "It's raining") and 눈이 와요 (nuni wayo, "It's snowing"). Korean describes rain and snow as "coming." For heavy rain, say 비가 많이 와요 (biga mani wayo), and when it stops, 비가 그쳤어요 (biga geuchyeosseoyo, "The rain has stopped").

Clear skies are 맑아요 (malgayo), and cloudy is 흐려요 (heuryeoyo). You can also say 구름이 많아요 (gureumi manayo, "It's very cloudy"). Forecasts often show short labels like 맑음 (malgeum, clear), 흐림 (heurim, cloudy) and 비 (bi, rain), so these are worth knowing.

Say 바람이 불어요 (barami bureoyo, "The wind is blowing"). For strong wind, say 바람이 많이 불어요 (barami mani bureoyo), and for cold wind, 바람이 차가워요 (barami chagawoyo). In Korean winters, the cold wind often makes it feel much colder than the actual temperature, so dress warmly.

습해요 (seupaeyo) means "It's humid." Korean summers tend to be hot and humid, so you'll often hear 덥고 습해요 (deopgo seupaeyo, "hot and humid"). The opposite is 건조해요 (geonjohaeyo, "It's dry"), which is common in winter. Bring breathable clothes for summer and moisturizer for winter.

장마 (jangma) is Korea's summer monsoon season, when rain falls for long stretches. In a typical year it starts in late June and ends in late July, depending on the region, though timing and rainfall vary every year. If you travel during this period, carry an umbrella and check the Korea Meteorological Administration's forecasts.

Fine dust is 미세먼지 (misemeonji). On days with poor air quality, you'll hear 미세먼지가 심해요 (misemeonjiga simhaeyo, "The fine dust is bad"). Many people wear masks on these days. You can check air quality through official apps or weather forecasts before heading out.

황사 (hwangsa) is yellow dust carried by winds from the Asian continent, mostly in spring. On heavy days, the sky looks hazy and air quality drops. Ask 오늘 황사 있어요? (oneul hwangsa isseoyo, "Is there yellow dust today?") or check the forecast, and wear a mask if needed.

쌀쌀해요 (ssalssalhaeyo) means chilly, a bit uncomfortably cold, while 선선해요 (seonseonhaeyo) means pleasantly cool. On an autumn morning you might say 좀 쌀쌀하네요 (jom ssalssalhaneyo, "It's a bit chilly"), and when summer ends and the breeze cools, 선선해졌어요 (seonseonhaejyeosseoyo, "It's gotten cool").

Use Sino-Korean numbers with 도 (do, degrees): 이십 도 (isip do, 20 degrees). Below zero, add 영하 (yeongha): 영하 오 도 (yeongha o do, minus 5). Ask 오늘 몇 도예요? (oneul myeot doyeyo, "What's the temperature today?"). Korea uses Celsius.

소나기 (sonagi) is a sudden shower that pours briefly and stops quickly. It's common in summer, and you'd say 소나기가 와요 (sonagiga wayo, "There's a shower"). Since it can start even on sunny days, it's smart to carry a small umbrella, 우산 (usan), in summer.

A typhoon is 태풍 (taepung). Typhoons can affect Korea mainly from summer to early autumn. When one approaches, emergency alerts are sent and flights or ferries may be canceled, so check the Korea Meteorological Administration's forecasts and transport announcements, and avoid coastal areas during the storm.

Spring is 봄 (bom), summer is 여름 (yeoreum), autumn is 가을 (gaeul) and winter is 겨울 (gyeoul). Korea has four fairly distinct seasons, so the weather changes a lot throughout the year. People more often ask 요즘 날씨 어때요? (yojeum nalssi eottaeyo, "How's the weather these days?").

꽃샘추위 (kkotsaemchuwi) is a sudden cold snap in spring, just as flowers begin to bloom. The word poetically means "cold that is jealous of the flowers." If you travel in spring, bring a light jacket even when the forecast looks warm, since temperatures can drop quickly.

한파 (hanpa) is a severe cold wave, and 폭염 (pogyeom) is an intense heat wave. During these, weather warnings and emergency alerts may be issued. In a heat wave, drink water often and rest in the shade; during a cold wave, dress in warm layers and cover exposed skin.

체감온도 (chegamondo) is the "feels-like" temperature, how cold or hot it feels to your body because of wind or humidity. In winter, strong wind can make it feel far colder than the thermometer shows. If a forecast says 체감온도 영하 10도 (feels like minus 10), dress for that.

Use ○○ 때문에 (○○ ttaemune, "because of ○○"): 비 때문에 못 가요 (bi ttaemune mot gayo, "I can't go because of the rain"). To postpone, suggest 날씨 좋은 날 가요 (nalssi joeun nal gayo, "Let's go on a nice day"). For indoor ideas, ask 비 올 때 갈 만한 곳 있어요? ("Any good places to go when it rains?").

Ask 뭐 입고 가야 돼요? (mwo ipgo gaya dwaeyo, "What should I wear?"). You can be specific: 겉옷 필요해요? (geotot piryohaeyo, "Do I need a jacket?") or 우산 챙겨야 돼요? (usan chaenggyeoya dwaeyo, "Should I bring an umbrella?"). Koreans may advise 두껍게 입으세요 (dukkeopge ibeuseyo, "Dress warmly").