B1 Expression Formal

눈이 옵니다.

nuni omnida.

It is snowing.

Phrase in 30 Seconds

A polite, standard way to announce that snow is currently falling from the sky.

  • Means: Snow is falling/coming (literally 'snow comes').
  • Used in: Weather reports, polite small talk, or announcing the first snow.
  • Don't confuse: With '눈이 내리다', which is more poetic and literary.
❄️ + 🏃‍♂️ (Coming) = 🌨️ (Snowing)

Explanation at your level:

This is a very simple sentence. '눈' means snow. '이' is a small word that shows 'snow' is the main thing we are talking about. '옵니다' means 'comes'. So, 'Snow comes.' We use this to say it is snowing right now. It is very polite.
In this level, you learn that '눈이 옵니다' is the formal way to say it's snowing. The verb is '오다' (to come). In Korea, we don't say 'It is snowing,' we say 'Snow comes.' You can use this when talking to your teacher or a boss. It's a useful weather phrase for winter.
At the B1 level, you should recognize '눈이 옵니다' as the 하십시오체 (formal polite) conjugation of the verb '오다'. This register is commonly used in public announcements and news broadcasts. It is important to distinguish this from the more poetic '내리다' and the casual '와요'. You should also be aware of how to add adverbs like '많이' (a lot) to describe the intensity of the snowfall.
This phrase demonstrates the Korean linguistic tendency to use 'coming' (오다) for all forms of precipitation. As a B2 learner, you should understand the nuance of using the formal '옵니다' in consultative registers. You should be able to contrast this with technical terms like '강설' used in meteorological contexts and understand the cultural significance of the 'first snow' (첫눈) which often accompanies this announcement in social media and news.
Linguistically, '눈이 옵니다' serves as a primary example of the 'ventive' motion verb usage in Korean weather expressions. Advanced learners should analyze the choice of '오다' (to come) over '내리다' (to descend) as a marker of the speaker's perspective—'오다' implies the snow is arriving at the speaker's location. The use of the formal declarative suffix '-ㅂ니다' indicates a high level of social distance or a professional setting, typical of broadcast journalism or formal interpersonal interactions.
The expression '눈이 옵니다' encapsulates the intersection of Korean deictic verbs and meteorological discourse. From a cognitive linguistics perspective, the conceptualization of snow as an entity that 'comes' (오다) rather than an impersonal event (as in English) reflects a specific spatial orientation in the Korean psyche. Mastery at this level involves not only the correct application of the formal register but also an intuitive grasp of when the shift to more descriptive verbs like '흩날리다' (to flutter) or '퍼붓다' (to pour down) is required to convey specific atmospheric textures beyond the standard '옵니다'.

Significado

States that precipitation in the form of snow is falling.

🌍

Contexto cultural

The 'First Snow' (첫눈) is a major cultural event. It's common to call or text loved ones the moment it starts snowing for the first time in winter. This region is famous for heavy snowfall. When people say '눈이 많이 옵니다' regarding Gangwon-do, it usually implies a serious weather event. Snow is often viewed through the lens of 'traffic' (교통). A common response to '눈이 옵니다' is checking the subway status. Heavy snow (함박눈) was traditionally seen as a blessing that killed pests in the soil, leading to the saying 'A year with much snow is a year with much grain.'

💡

Nasalization Rule

Remember that '옵니다' is pronounced '옴니다'. This is a key rule in Korean pronunciation whenever 'ㅂ' meets 'ㄴ'.

⚠️

Don't use '해요'

English speakers often say '눈이 해요' (It's snowing). This is incorrect. Always use '오다'.

Significado

States that precipitation in the form of snow is falling.

💡

Nasalization Rule

Remember that '옵니다' is pronounced '옴니다'. This is a key rule in Korean pronunciation whenever 'ㅂ' meets 'ㄴ'.

⚠️

Don't use '해요'

English speakers often say '눈이 해요' (It's snowing). This is incorrect. Always use '오다'.

💬

The First Snow Text

If it's the first snow, send a '첫눈이 옵니다!' text to your Korean friends. They will be impressed by your cultural knowledge!

🎯

Poetic vs. Practical

If you want to sound like a K-drama protagonist, use '내립니다'. If you want to sound like a normal person, use '옵니다'.

Ponte a prueba

Fill in the blank with the correct formal verb for snowing.

하늘에서 하얀 눈이 ____.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: 옵니다

In Korean, snow 'comes' (옵니다), it doesn't 'do' or 'go'.

Which sentence is appropriate for a weather report on TV?

Choose the most formal and correct sentence.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: 눈이 옵니다.

The '-ㅂ니다' ending is the standard for formal broadcasts.

Complete the dialogue between a hotel clerk and a guest.

Clerk: '손님, 지금 밖에 ____. 우산을 가져가세요.'

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: 눈이 옵니다

The clerk is informing the guest about the current weather.

Match the phrase to the situation.

Situation: You are announcing the first snow of the year to your boss.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: 첫눈이 옵니다.

'첫눈' means first snow, and '옵니다' is the correct formal form for a boss.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Ayudas visuales

Formality Levels of 'Snowing'

Formal
눈이 옵니다 Official/News
Polite
눈이 와요 Standard/Friendly
Casual
눈이 와 Friends/Family

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Yes! Just change '눈' (snow) to '비' (rain): '비가 옵니다'.

'눈이 와요' is polite but friendly. '눈이 옵니다' is formal and professional.

Yes, it does. Context tells you which is which. Eyes don't usually 'come' from the sky!

You say '눈이 안 옵니다'.

Rarely, because it seldom snows in Busan. People there get very excited when they can say it!

It means 'snow is falling/dropping', but it sounds like a physical object is falling. It's not natural for weather.

You say '눈이 조금 옵니다'.

It refers to big, fluffy snowflakes. '함박눈이 옵니다' is a very positive expression.

Because the snow is coming toward the speaker's location.

Yes, the basic structure is the same, though the intonation might differ.

Frases relacionadas

🔗

비가 옵니다

similar

It is raining.

🔗

첫눈

builds on

First snow

🔗

함박눈

specialized form

Large snowflakes

🔄

눈이 내리다

synonym

Snow falls.

🔗

진눈깨비

similar

Sleet

Dónde usarla

📺

Watching the news

News Anchor: 내일은 전국적으로 많은 눈이 옵니다.

Viewer: 아, 내일 출근길이 걱정되네요.

formal
🏨

At a hotel lobby

Staff: 손님, 지금 밖에 눈이 옵니다. 우산이 필요하십니까?

Guest: 네, 감사합니다. 하나 빌려주세요.

formal
👵

Texting a grandparent

Grandchild: 할머니, 여기는 눈이 옵니다. 감기 조심하세요.

Grandmother: 그래, 고맙다. 너도 따뜻하게 입고 다녀라.

formal
💼

Office small talk

Colleague A: 부장님, 창밖을 보세요. 눈이 옵니다.

Manager: 벌써 겨울이 왔군요. 퇴근길 조심해야겠어요.

formal
📢

Public Announcement

Subway Voice: 현재 지상 구간에 눈이 옵니다. 승강장이 미끄러우니 주의하시기 바랍니다.

Passenger: (Carefully walking)

formal
💖

First Snow Confession

Person A: 와, 첫눈이 옵니다! 우리 소원 빌까요?

Person B: 좋아요. 같이 있으니까 행복하네요.

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Noon' (눈). At noon, the white 'snow' (눈) 'comes' (오다) to visit.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant white letter 'N' falling from the sky like a snowflake, landing on a welcome mat because it is 'coming' (오다) to your house.

Rhyme

White and bright, 눈 (Nun) is in sight / Coming down slow, 오다 (Oda) you know.

Story

A little boy named Nun (눈) always 'comes' (오다) to visit his grandmother in the winter. Whenever she sees him at the door, she shouts 'Nun-i omnida!' (Nun is coming/It is snowing!).

Word Web

눈 (snow)오다 (to come)내리다 (to fall)겨울 (winter)춥다 (to be cold)첫눈 (first snow)함박눈 (thick snow)제설 (snow removal)

Desafío

Next time you see it snowing (or see a picture of it), say '눈이 옵니다' out loud three times in a formal news reporter voice.

In Other Languages

English low

It is snowing.

English uses a dedicated verb, Korean uses 'snow' + 'come'.

Japanese moderate

雪が降ります (Yuki ga furimasu)

Japanese focuses on the downward motion (fall), Korean on the arrival (come).

Chinese partial

下雪 (Xià xuě)

Chinese treats 'snow' as the object being 'downed'.

Spanish low

Nieva.

Spanish is a single-word impersonal verb.

French low

Il neige.

French requires the dummy subject 'il'.

German low

Es schneit.

German uses a dummy subject and a specific verb.

Arabic low

تثلج (Tuthlij)

Arabic is a single conjugated verb.

Portuguese low

Está nevando.

Portuguese uses a progressive construction.

Easily Confused

눈이 옵니다. vs 눈이 내리다

Learners don't know when to use '오다' vs '내리다'.

Use '오다' for daily speech and news. Use '내리다' for songs, poems, or descriptive writing.

눈이 옵니다. vs 눈이 오다 vs 눈을 보다

Confusing 'snow is coming' with 'seeing snow'.

Check the particle: '이' (subject) means it's snowing; '을' (object) means you are looking at it.

Preguntas frecuentes (10)

Yes! Just change '눈' (snow) to '비' (rain): '비가 옵니다'.

'눈이 와요' is polite but friendly. '눈이 옵니다' is formal and professional.

Yes, it does. Context tells you which is which. Eyes don't usually 'come' from the sky!

You say '눈이 안 옵니다'.

Rarely, because it seldom snows in Busan. People there get very excited when they can say it!

It means 'snow is falling/dropping', but it sounds like a physical object is falling. It's not natural for weather.

You say '눈이 조금 옵니다'.

It refers to big, fluffy snowflakes. '함박눈이 옵니다' is a very positive expression.

Because the snow is coming toward the speaker's location.

Yes, the basic structure is the same, though the intonation might differ.

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