Translation and Meaning of: 天気 - tenki
The Japanese word 天気 [てんき] is one of those that every language student learns early on, but do you know all the details behind it? In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and how it is used in everyday Japanese. Additionally, we will look at some curiosities that can help you memorize this essential term for discussing weather and atmosphere. If you want to understand how the Japanese view the weather and how this word fits into their culture, keep reading!
Meaning and Translation of 天気 [てんき]
In Portuguese, 天気[てんき] is translated as "weather" or "climate," referring to atmospheric conditions at a specific moment. Unlike in Portuguese, where "time" can mean both climate and the passage of hours, in Japanese this word is used exclusively for meteorological phenomena. If you want to ask how the weather is today, for example, you can say "今日の天気はどうですか？" (Kyou no tenki wa dou desu ka?).
It is worth noting that, although common, 天気 is not the only word to talk about weather. Terms like 気候[きこう] (kikou) refer to climate in a broader sense, such as the seasons of the year, while 天気 is more immediate and everyday. This distinction is important to avoid confusion when studying the language.
Origin and Composition of Kanjis
The writing of 天気 in kanji is composed of two characters: 天 (ten), which means "sky," and 気 (ki), which can be translated as "energy" or "spirit." Together, they form the idea of "conditions of the sky" or "state of the atmosphere." This combination is ancient and reflects the Japanese perception that the weather is directly linked to higher natural forces.
Interestingly, the kanji 気 is one of the most versatile in the Japanese language, appearing in words such as 元気[げんき] (health/vitality) and 人気[にんき] (popularity). This connection between different meanings can aid in memorization, as many words containing 気 are related to states or conditions.
Cultural Use and Common Phrases
In Japan, talking about 天気 is more than just a simple comment about rain or sunshine. It’s a way to break the ice in conversations, especially among people who don’t know each other well. Asking "いい天気ですね" (Ii tenki desu ne – "The weather is nice, isn’t it?") is a polite way to start a dialogue without invading someone else's privacy.
In addition, the climate has significant cultural weight, influencing everything from festivals to agriculture. Expressions like 天気予報[てんきよほう] (weather forecast) are essential in daily life, and TV programs dedicated to this topic are extremely popular. If you are learning Japanese, paying attention to these nuances can greatly enrich your vocabulary and cultural understanding.
Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with related words:
Synonyms and similar words
- 天候 (Tenki) - Weather conditions at a given moment.
- 気象 (Kishou) - Study of climatic conditions and atmospheric phenomena.
- 天候状況 (Tenkojoukyou) - Current state of the weather.
- 気候 (Kikou) - Climate of a region over time.
- 天候条件 (Tenkojouken) - Specific conditions related to the weather.
- 気象条件 (Kishoujouken) - Specific atmospheric conditions.
- 天候状態 (Tenkojoutai) - Weather conditions at a specific moment.
- 気象状態 (Kishoujoutai) - State of atmospheric conditions.
Related words
Romaji: tenki
Kana: てんき
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5
Translation / Meaning: climate; the elements; good time
Meaning in English: weather;the elements;fine weather
Definition: Time is a word that refers to atmospheric conditions, such as air, temperature, and humidity.
Quick Access
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- Writing
- Sentences
How to Write in Japanese - (天気) tenki
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (天気) tenki:
Example Sentences - (天気) tenki
See below some example sentences:
Ashita no tenki yohou wo kakunin shimashita
I checked the weather forecast for tomorrow.
I checked the weather forecast for tomorrow.
- 明日の - tomorrow
- 天気 - time
- 予報 - forecast
- を - object particle
- 確認 - confirmation
- しました - made
Inki na tenki ga tsuzuite imasu
The mood is somber and melancholy.
The gloomy mood continues.
- 陰気な - adjective meaning "gloomy" or "melancholic"
- 天気 - noun meaning "weather" or "climate"
- が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- 続いています - verb meaning "continue" in the present tense and polite form
Utsuodashii tenki desu ne
The weather is so boring.
It's irritating weather.
- 鬱陶しい - Japanese word meaning "depressing", "boring" or "annoying".
- 天気 - Japanese word meaning "time" or "climate".
- です - Japanese word that indicates the verb "to be" in the present tense.
- ね - Japanese particle that indicates a rhetorical question or confirmation.
Kyou wa ii tenki desu ne
Today is a good time
It's nice weather today, isn't that it.
- 今日 - today
- は - Topic particle
- いい - good
- 天気 - time weather
- です - verb to be in the polite form
- ね - confirmation or agreement-seeking particle
Fujun na tenki ga tsuzuite imasu
The weather is unstable.
The erratic weather continues.
- 不順な - adjective meaning "irregular"
- 天気 - noun meaning "weather" or "climate"
- が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- 続いています - verb meaning "continue" in the present and polite form
Kyou wa ii tenki desu ne
Today is a good time
It's nice weather today, isn't that it.
- 今日 (kyou) - today
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- いい (ii) - good
- 天気 (tenki) - time weather
- です (desu) - Verb to be
- ね (ne) - confirmation particle
Kyou wa ii tenki desu ne
Today is a good time
It's good weather today.
- 今日 (kyou) - today
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 良い (yoi) - good
- 天気 (tenki) - time weather
- です (desu) - verb to be (educated)
- ね (ne) - confirmation particle
Kyou wa tenki ga areru kamoshiremasen
Today it may be that time becomes stormy.
Time may be difficult today.
- 今日 - today
- は - Topic particle
- 天気 - time weather
- が - subject particle
- 荒れる - become agitated/turbulent
- かもしれません - maybe/possibly
Kyou no tenki wa hare desu
Today's time is sunny.
Time is sunny today.
- 今日の - of today
- 天気 - "tempo/clima"
- は - Topic particle
- 晴れ - "ensolarado"
- です - verb "to be/estar" in the present tense
Tenki ga ii desu ne
The weather is good
The weather is good.
- 天気 - It means "climate" in Japanese.
- が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- いい - means "good" or "pleasant" in Japanese
- です - verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate a polite statement
- ね - particle indicating a rhetorical question or confirmation
Other Words of this Type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
