Nuance & Usage
曇り is the noun form from the verb 曇る (kumoru — to become cloudy/overcast). In weather forecasts: 晴れ (hare — sunny), 曇り (kumori — cloudy), 雨 (ame — rain), 雪 (yuki — snow). Partial cloudiness is 晴れ時々曇り (sunny with occasional clouds) or 曇り時々晴れ (cloudy with occasional sun). 薄曇り (usugumori — lightly overcast), 厚い雲 (atsui kumo — thick clouds). The expression 心が曇る (kokoro ga kumoru) figuratively means one's heart/mind becomes gloomy/troubled.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 曇り (kumori — cloudy sky) with 霧 (kiri — fog) or 霞 (kasumi — haze). 曇り is general cloudiness; 霧 is actual fog (reduced visibility). In weather forecasts, the key distinctions are: 晴れ (clear) → 曇り (cloudy) → 雨 (rainy). Also: 曇りガラス (frosted/opaque glass) uses the same word. The verb 曇る also means to steam up/become foggy: 眼鏡が曇る (glasses steam up).
Example Sentences (3)
今日は曇りで、肌寒い一日でした。
きょうはくもりで、はださむいいちにちでした。
Today was cloudy and chilly throughout.
明日の天気は曇り時々雨の予報です。
あしたのてんきはくもりときどきあめのよほうです。
Tomorrow's weather forecast is cloudy with occasional rain.
せっかく富士山を見に来たのに、曇っていて見えませんでした。
せっかくふじさんをみにきたのに、くもっていてみえませんでした。
I came all the way to see Mt. Fuji, but it was cloudy and I couldn't see it.
Quick Quiz
Quick Quiz
N34 questionsTest your knowledge of 曇り with 4 different question types.
Want to practice this word?
Add to Fujiyama & Study with AI
Generate more example sentences, listen to native pronunciation, and review with SRS — all personalized to your JLPT level.