눈이 와요
nuni wayo
It's snowing
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use '눈이 와요' to announce that it's currently snowing or to describe snowy weather in a polite way.
- Means: 'Snow is coming' or simply 'It is snowing.'
- Used in: Casual weather updates, texting friends, or making small talk.
- Don't confuse: Using '하다' (to do) instead of '오다' (to come) for weather.
Explanation at your level:
Signification
Indicates that snow is falling.
Contexte culturel
The 'First Snow' (첫눈) is a major event. Couples often make plans to meet, and it's a popular time for romantic confessions. For soldiers, snow is 'beautiful garbage.' Mandatory snow removal (제설 작업) is a grueling part of winter service. Snowy or rainy days often lead people to eat Pajeon and drink Makgeolli, as the atmosphere suits these traditional items. In Seoul, snow causes immediate traffic chaos. People often switch to subways as '눈이 오면 차가 막혀요' (traffic jams when it snows).
Drop the particle
In casual conversation, you can just say '눈 와요' instead of '눈이 와요.' It sounds very natural.
Eye vs Snow
Don't worry about the homonym. Context almost always makes it clear whether you mean 'eye' or 'snow.'
Signification
Indicates that snow is falling.
Drop the particle
In casual conversation, you can just say '눈 와요' instead of '눈이 와요.' It sounds very natural.
Eye vs Snow
Don't worry about the homonym. Context almost always makes it clear whether you mean 'eye' or 'snow.'
Use '펑펑'
To sound like a native, use the word '펑펑' (pung-pung) to describe heavy, beautiful snow: '눈이 펑펑 와요!'
First Snow Text
If it's the first snow of the year, text your Korean friends '첫눈 와요!' They will appreciate the gesture.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct particle and verb form for 'It is snowing.'
눈__ __요.
The subject marker '이' is used after the consonant-ending '눈', and the verb is '와요'.
How do you say 'It snowed yesterday'?
어제...
'왔어요' is the past tense of '와요'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 밖에 날씨가 어때요? B: ________.
When asked about the weather, '눈이 와요' is a logical response.
Match the phrase to the situation: '눈이 펑펑 와요!'
When would you say this?
'펑펑' is an onomatopoeia for heavy snowfall.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Snow Types
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYes, '내려요' (falls) is perfectly correct and sounds a bit more descriptive or poetic.
No, it also means 'eye.' Context will tell you which is which.
You say '눈이 안 와요.'
The formal version is '눈이 옵니다.'
It's a linguistic perspective where weather is seen as an active visitor arriving at our location.
For rain, you say '비가 와요' (Bi-ga wayo).
Add '많이' (man-i): '눈이 많이 와요.'
It means 'first snow,' which is culturally significant for romance in Korea.
In texting, people often just write '눈 온다' or even just '눈!!'
No, '해요' (do) is never used for weather in this way.
You say '눈이 올 거예요.'
It's a specific word for large, fluffy snowflakes.
Expressions liées
눈이 내리다
similarSnow falls
첫눈
specialized formFirst snow
함박눈
specialized formLarge snowflakes
눈사람을 만들다
builds onTo make a snowman
비가 오다
similarIt is raining
눈이 쌓이다
builds onSnow piles up
Où l'utiliser
Looking out the window
민수: 와, 밖에 봐! 눈이 와!
지수: 진짜? 너무 예쁘다!
Texting a friend
Friend A: 지금 거기 눈 와요?
Friend B: 네, 여기 눈 많이 와요!
Small talk with a neighbor
Learner: 안녕하세요. 오늘 눈이 많이 오네요.
Neighbor: 네, 그러게요. 길이 미끄러우니 조심하세요.
Weather Forecast
Reporter: 내일은 전국적으로 눈이 오겠습니다.
Viewer: 내일 눈이 온대. 우산 챙겨.
Romantic Date
Boyfriend: 우리 같이 있을 때 눈이 와서 좋다.
Girlfriend: 응, 이게 올해 첫눈이야.
Complaining about commute
Colleague A: 눈이 와서 차가 너무 막혀요.
Colleague B: 저도 오늘 30분 늦었어요.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Noon' (눈). At 'Noon', the snow 'comes' (오다 -> 와요).
Visual Association
Imagine a giant eye (눈) in the sky crying white snowflakes that 'come' down to visit you.
Rhyme
눈이 와요, 기분 좋아요! (Nun-i wayo, gibun joayo! - It's snowing, I feel good!)
Story
You are waiting for a friend. You look up and see a white flake. You say 'Nun' (like the eye). Then you see it 'coming' towards you. You shout 'Wayo!' (like 'Way to go!'). Together: 'Nun-i wayo!'
Word Web
Défi
Next time you see any white particles (even dust!), whisper '눈이 와요' to yourself three times.
In Other Languages
It is snowing
Subjectivity: 'It' vs 'Snow'.
雪が降る (Yuki ga furu)
Verb choice: 'Fall' vs 'Come'.
Nieva
Single verb vs Noun+Verb.
Il neige
Use of dummy subject 'Il'.
Es schneit
Use of dummy subject 'Es'.
下雪 (Xià xuě)
Word order and verb 'down' vs 'come'.
تثلج (Tuthlij)
Root-based verb system.
Está nevando
Progressive tense construction.
Easily Confused
Both use the word '눈' (nun).
Context is key. '아파요' (hurts) only applies to the 'eye,' while '와요' (comes) usually applies to 'snow.'
Again, the homonym '눈'.
'커요' (is big) refers to eye size. You wouldn't say 'the snow is big' this way; you'd use '많이 와요' (comes a lot).
FAQ (12)
Yes, '내려요' (falls) is perfectly correct and sounds a bit more descriptive or poetic.
No, it also means 'eye.' Context will tell you which is which.
You say '눈이 안 와요.'
The formal version is '눈이 옵니다.'
It's a linguistic perspective where weather is seen as an active visitor arriving at our location.
For rain, you say '비가 와요' (Bi-ga wayo).
Add '많이' (man-i): '눈이 많이 와요.'
It means 'first snow,' which is culturally significant for romance in Korea.
In texting, people often just write '눈 온다' or even just '눈!!'
No, '해요' (do) is never used for weather in this way.
You say '눈이 올 거예요.'
It's a specific word for large, fluffy snowflakes.
