Translation and Meaning of: 降る - furu

The Japanese word 「降る」 (furu) is often translated as "fall" or "descend", and is commonly used to describe the falling of something like rain or snow. The origin of this expression dates back to the writing of classical kanjis, where 「降」 combines the radical for "hill", present in the upper part, which symbolizes a descending movement, with the radical for "action/movement" in the lower part. Together, these components illustrate the idea of something naturally descending from a higher point.

The application of the term 「降る」 in Japanese is intrinsically linked to natural phenomena, such as rain (雨が降る) and snow (雪が降る). This use likely originated from the observation of such elements falling from the sky, which led to a direct association with the idea of descending from a higher state to a lower one. The verb is intransitive, meaning it does not require a direct object to complete its meaning, which reinforces the view that the action is complete in itself, like a natural phenomenon.

In addition to its basic use in meteorology, 「降る」 can also appear in poetic and literary metaphors, depending on the context. Writers and poets may use the word to express emotions or events that "rain" or "pour" over a situation, suggesting an intensity or inevitability akin to a storm. Thus, 「降る」 not only enriches descriptive language in everyday life but also offers depth and symbolic meaning in artistic and literary works.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 降る

• 降る - Present form of the verb "basedo"
• 降ります Polite form of the verb
• 降りました - Past form of the verb
• 降るだろう - Conditional form of the verb
• 降らない - Negative form of the verb
• 降られる Passive form of the verb
• 降らせる - Causative form of the verb

Synonyms and similar words

• 降りる (oriru) - Descend (from a means of transportation or elevated place)
• 下る (kudaru) - Descend (in a direction; often used to describe movement on slopes or hills)
• 落ちる (ochiru) - Fall (generally used to describe something that has dropped from a higher place)
• 降下する (kouka suru) - Descend (usually used in more technical contexts, such as aviation)
• 降水する (kousui suru) - To precipitate (referring to the fall of water, such as rain or snow)

降る

Romaji: furu
Kana: ふる
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: precipitate; fall (e.g. rain)

Meaning in English: to precipitate;to fall (e.g. rain)

Definition: Water and ice falling from the sky to the ground.

Example Sentences - (降る) furu

See below some example sentences:

雨が降る。

Ame ga furu

It's raining.

It rains.

• 雨 - means "rain" in Japanese.
• が - is a grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 降る - is a verb meaning "to fall" or "to rain".

気象予報は明日雨が降ると言っています。

Kishō yohō wa ashita ame ga furu to itte imasu

The weather forecast says it will rain tomorrow.

The weather forecast says it will rain tomorrow.

• 気象予報 - Weather forecast
• は - Topic particle
• 明日 - Tomorrow
• 雨 - Rain
• が - Subject particle
• 降る - Falling (for rain)
• と - Quotation particle
• 言っています - You're saying

多分明日雨が降るでしょう。

Tabun ashita ame ga furu deshou

Maybe it will rain tomorrow.

Maybe it will rain tomorrow.

• 多分 - perhaps, probably
• 明日 - tomorrow
• 雨 - rain
• が - subject particle
• 降る - to fall (rain, snow)
• でしょう - expression of supposition, probably

真っ白な雪が降っています。

Masshiro na yuki ga futteimasu

The snow is falling completely white.

It's pure white snow.

• 真っ白な (masshiro na) - adjective meaning "pure white"
• 雪 (yuki) - noun meaning "snow"
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 降っています (futteimasu) - verb meaning "is falling"

雨が降っています。

Ame ga futte imasu

It's raining.

It's raining.

• 雨 (あめ) - rain
• が - subject particle
• 降っています (ふっています) - is falling

雪が降っています。

Yuki ga futteimasu

It's snowing.

It's snowing.

• 雪 (yuki) - snow
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 降っています (futteimasu) - is falling

あられが降ってきた。

Arare ga futte kita

The hail fell.

• あられが - "arare ga" means "hail" in Japanese.
• 降ってきた - "futte kita" means "fell" in Japanese.

激しい雨が降っています。

Hageshii ame ga futte imasu

It's raining hard.

It's raining heavy.

• 激しい - Intense, strong
• 雨 - rain
• が - subject particle
• 降っています - is falling