How to say "cloud" in Japanese

• 雲くもJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounThe literal cloud in the sky. This is the word you want whenever you mean the actual meteorological object, and it is the default choice for 'cloud' in that concrete sense.
  雲くもがだんだん黒くろくなっています。↗

  The clouds are getting darker.
• 陰りかげりCommon
  nounA figurative sense: a cloud or shadow cast over something such as someone's happiness. It never refers to clouds in the sky, so it is not the word you want for the literal weather meaning.
• 曇りくもりJLPT N5approx.Common
  nounClouding or blurring on surfaces and in materials, such as fog on a mirror or glasses, or a cloud in marble. For clouds in the sky this is not the word you want.

For the weather phenomenon use 雲; 「陰り」 is figurative gloom or a shadow over happiness; 「曇り」 covers clouding, fogging or blurring on surfaces and in materials, not sky clouds.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 雲くもcloud
• 陰りかげりshadow (e.g. on someone's happiness)
• クラウドcloud
• 雲気うんきcloud
• 曇らせるくもらせるto cloud
• 曇りくもりfog (on a mirror, glasses, etc.)
• 雲居くもいcloud