M16 · Weather and seasons

Before you start

This level assumes you know hiragana and katakana. Words you already met there are marked and do not count as new.

This lesson assumes what you saw in the earlier ones. If something feels shaky, go back to it:

• M01greetings and courtesy
• M02introducing yourself
• M03family
• M04numbers
• M05time and days
• M06the home
• M07everyday objects
• M08food and drink
• M09eating out
• M10shopping
• M11the city
• M12transport
• M13school
• M14work and daily life
• M15the body and health

What you learn

The weather is てんき: はれ is clear and くもり is cloudy. Japan has four very distinct seasons: はる, なつ, あき and ふゆ.

You practise them in kana; underneath you can see how they are usually written.

• てんきtenkiweatherUsually written 天気
• はれhareclear, sunnyUsually written 晴れ
• くもりkumoricloudyUsually written 曇り
• You know it · H07あめamerainUsually written 雨There is also あめ = 飴 (candy), with a different pitch. Here you learn 雨, the rain.
• You know it · H08ゆきyukisnowUsually written 雪
• はるharuspringUsually written 春
• You know it · H05なつnatsusummerUsually written 夏
• You know it · H02あきakiautumnUsually written 秋
• ふゆfuyuwinterUsually written 冬
• さむいsamuicold (weather)Usually written 寒い
• あついatsuihot (weather)Usually written 暑いThis is hot weather. Something hot to the touch is 熱い, read the same way.
• You know it · H09そらsoraskyUsually written 空

Practice

A short text written only with the kana and grammar you already know. Read it and answer.