How to say "stormy" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 荒れ模様あれもようna-adjective, no-adjectiveCovers the literal weather sense: a sky or weather outlook that looks stormy, showing signs of turning rough. Typical of forecasts and observations of threatening skies.
- 険悪けんあくna-adjective, nounIts 'stormy' is figurative: a stormy mood, atmosphere, or relationship, the word fundamentally meaning dangerous, hostile, or threatening. For literal stormy skies it is seldom the word you want.
Use 「荒れ模様」 for the literal weather sense — a sky or outlook that looks stormy — and 険悪 for the figurative sense, a stormy mood, atmosphere, or relationship marked by danger and hostility.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
