When you hear 砂嵐 (sunarashi), imagine a powerful dust storm, the kind you’d see in a desert. It's a compound word made up of 砂 (suna), meaning 'sand', and 嵐 (arashi), meaning 'storm'.
While it most literally refers to a sandstorm, you might occasionally hear it used metaphorically to describe a situation that's very chaotic or overwhelming, like a 'storm of information' or a 'blizzard of data,' but this usage is much less common than its literal meaning.
It is important to remember that 砂嵐 (sunarashi) specifically implies a storm with sand, not just any strong wind. For strong winds in general, you would use other terms like 強風 (kyōfū).
Guide de prononciation
- Mispronouncing the 'u' as a long 'oo' sound instead of a short 'uh' sound.
- Not emphasizing the second syllable 'na'.
Exemples par niveau
砂漠地帯では、予期せぬ砂嵐が旅人の命を脅かすことがあります。
In desert regions, unexpected sandstorms can threaten travelers' lives.
予期せぬ (yokisenu) means 'unexpected' or 'unforeseen'. 旅人の命を脅かす (tabibito no inochi o obiyakasu) means 'to threaten travelers' lives'.
その古代都市は、度重なる砂嵐によって砂の中に埋もれていったと言われている。
It is said that the ancient city was buried in the sand due to repeated sandstorms.
度重なる (tabikasunaru) means 'repeated' or 'frequent'. 砂の中に埋もれていった (suna no naka ni umorete itta) means 'was buried in the sand'.
砂嵐が視界を遮り、探検隊は一時的に前進を断念せざるを得なかった。
The sandstorm obstructed visibility, and the expedition team had no choice but to temporarily abandon their advance.
視界を遮り (shikai oさえぎり) means 'obstructed visibility'. 前進を断念せざるを得なかった (zenshin o dannen sezaru o enakata) means 'had no choice but to abandon their advance'.
火星の表面は、しばしば大規模な砂嵐に覆われることが知られている。
The surface of Mars is known to be often covered by large-scale sandstorms.
大規模な (daikibo na) means 'large-scale'. に覆われる (ni oowareru) means 'to be covered by'.
彼は、子供の頃に体験した砂嵐の記憶を鮮明に覚えていた。
He vividly remembered the sandstorm he experienced as a child.
子供の頃に体験した (kodomo no koro ni taiken shita) means 'experienced as a child'. 鮮明に覚えている (senmei ni oboete iru) means 'to remember vividly'.
砂嵐の中、道に迷った旅行者たちは、助けを求めて必死に叫んだ。
Amidst the sandstorm, the lost travelers desperately screamed for help.
道に迷った (michi ni mayotta) means 'lost their way'. 助けを求めて (tasuke o motomete) means 'seeking help'. 必死に叫んだ (hisshi ni sakenda) means 'screamed desperately'.
この地域の住民は、砂嵐に備えて特別な家屋を建設している。
Residents in this region are building special houses in preparation for sandstorms.
に備えて (ni sonaete) means 'in preparation for'. 特別な家屋 (tokubetsu na kaoku) means 'special houses'. 建設している (kensetsu shite iru) means 'are building'.
地元の伝説によると、強力な砂嵐は神々の怒りの表れだという。
According to local legend, powerful sandstorms are a manifestation of the gods' wrath.
地元の伝説によると (jimoto no densetsu ni yoru to) means 'according to local legend'. 神々の怒りの表れ (kamigami no ikari no araware) means 'a manifestation of the gods' wrath'.
Teste-toi 12 questions
What should you do before the sandstorm arrives?
Where did you see the news about the sandstorm?
What often happens in the desert?
Read this aloud:
砂嵐は危険です。
Focus: su-na-a-ra-shi
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
砂嵐が起きたら窓を閉めてください。
Focus: mado o shime-te ku-da-sai
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
砂嵐の中を歩くのは大変です。
Focus: a-ru-ku no wa tai-hen desu
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Choose the sentence where 砂嵐 is used correctly.
砂嵐 refers to a strong wind carrying sand, making it difficult to use an umbrella. The other options use the word incorrectly or metaphorically in ways that don't fit the definition.
Which of the following situations would most likely involve a 砂嵐?
A 砂嵐 (sandstorm) is characteristic of desert environments where there is a lot of loose sand and strong winds.
Which word is most similar in context to 砂嵐?
Both 砂嵐 (sandstorm) and 吹雪 (blizzard) describe severe weather conditions involving strong winds and airborne particles (sand or snow), significantly reducing visibility and creating hazardous conditions.
砂嵐は通常、乾燥した地域で発生します。(Sandstorms usually occur in dry regions.)
Sandstorms are indeed common in dry, arid regions, especially deserts, where loose sand is abundant.
砂嵐は視界を悪くする可能性があります。(Sandstorms can worsen visibility.)
The large amount of sand carried by a sandstorm significantly reduces visibility, making it dangerous to travel.
砂嵐の中では、洗濯物を外に干すのが良いでしょう。(It would be good to hang laundry outside during a sandstorm.)
Hanging laundry outside during a sandstorm would result in the clothes becoming covered in sand, making this an impractical and unadvisable action.
/ 12 correct
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Exemple
砂嵐のため、視界が悪くなった。
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