This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
Japanese
Vocabulary
予報する

A2 verb #4,000 most common 10 min read

予報する

yohosuru Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 予報する in 30 Seconds

Explanation 予報する in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'yoho-suru' is the word for 'to forecast' the weather. You will mostly see it in the noun form 'tenki yoho' (weather forecast). If you want to use the verb, think of it as a way to say what the TV or your phone is saying about tomorrow. You can use simple sentences like 'Ashita wa ame da to yoho-shite imasu' (It is forecasting that tomorrow will be rain). The main goal at this level is to recognize the word when you hear it on the news so you know if you need an umbrella. Don't worry about the complex kanji yet; just focus on the sound 'yoho' and the fact that it's a 'suru' verb. You might hear 'Tenki yoho o mimasu' (I watch the weather forecast), which is a great starting point. Remember, 'yo' means 'before' and 'ho' means 'report'. So it's a 'before-report'!

At the A2 level, you should start using 'yoho-suru' as a verb to report information to others. You can use the form '...to yoho-shite-imasu' to tell a friend what you saw on the news. This is the level where you distinguish between 'yoho-suru' (official weather report) and 'yoso-suru' (your own guess). For example, if you see dark clouds, you say 'Ame ga furu to omoimasu' (I think it will rain), but if the app says so, you say 'Apuri ga ame o yoho-shite-imasu' (The app is forecasting rain). You should also be able to use basic adverbs like 'seikaku ni' (accurately) or 'hayaku' (early) with this verb. Understanding that it's a Group 3 verb means you can conjugate it into 'yoho-shita' (forecasted) or 'yoho-shimasen' (does not forecast). This level is about moving from just hearing the word to actively using it in daily conversation about your plans.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'yoho-suru' in more complex grammatical structures, such as relative clauses. For example, 'Kishocho ga yoho-shita taifu ga kimasu' (The typhoon that the Meteorological Agency forecasted is coming). You will also encounter the passive form 'yoho-sareru' (to be forecasted) very frequently in news articles and broadcasts. At this stage, you should understand the nuances of weather-related vocabulary that often accompanies this verb, such as 'kousui kakuritsu' (probability of precipitation) or 'keibo' (warnings). You can also start to see its rare use in business contexts like 'juyo-yoho' (demand forecasting), though weather remains the primary domain. Your ability to explain *why* something is forecasted using 'node' or 'kara' is also expected: 'Kousui-ritsu ga takai to yoho-shite-iru node, kasa o motte ikimasu' (Because they are forecasting a high chance of rain, I will take an umbrella).

At the B2 level, you are expected to understand the technical and formal nuances of 'yoho-suru'. This includes its use in official warnings and the legal implications of weather forecasting in Japan (where only licensed individuals can officially 'yoho-suru'). You should be able to discuss the accuracy of forecasts using sophisticated vocabulary like 'tekichu-ritsu' (hit rate/accuracy rate). You will also encounter the word in environmental and scientific discussions, such as forecasting the bloom of cherry blossoms (sakura no kaika-yoho) or the movement of volcanic ash. At this level, you should be able to use the verb in formal writing, such as reports or essays, using the 'de-aru' style. You should also be able to contrast 'yoho-suru' with 'yosoku-suru' (predicting based on data models) in a nuanced way, explaining that 'yoho' implies a public announcement while 'yosoku' is the internal analytical process.

At the C1 level, you should have a near-native grasp of the word's register and its placement within the broader 'prediction' vocabulary of Japanese. You can appreciate the subtle differences between 'yoho', 'yosoku', 'yoso', and 'yochi' in specialized fields like disaster prevention or macroeconomics. You might use 'yoho-suru' metaphorically or in highly specific technical contexts, such as 'denryoku-juyo-yoho' (electricity demand forecasting) during a heatwave. You are also expected to understand the historical development of the term and how it relates to the modernization of Japan's scientific infrastructure. Your usage should be flawless in both high-level business meetings and academic settings. You can critique the way a forecast was 'yoho-sareta' and discuss the socio-economic impacts of an incorrect forecast, using advanced structures like '...ni mo kakawarazu' (despite...) or '...o yoin to shite' (with ... as the factor).

At the C2 level, your understanding of 'yoho-suru' is comprehensive, including its legal, scientific, and cultural dimensions. You can engage in deep discussions about the ethics of 'yoho-suru' in the context of climate change or natural disasters. You understand the legislative framework, such as the Meteorological Service Act, which governs who can 'yoho-suru' and the penalties for unauthorized forecasting. You can interpret and produce complex meteorological reports that use 'yoho-suru' in conjunction with advanced statistical terminology. You are also sensitive to the word's use in literature or high-level journalism where it might be used to evoke a sense of inevitable future events reported with clinical detachment. At this level, the word is not just a verb but a symbol of humanity's attempt to quantify and communicate the unpredictable nature of the world. You can move seamlessly between the common 'weather' usage and highly specialized 'forecasting' applications in any field.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

予報する in 30 Seconds

A verb meaning 'to forecast,' used almost exclusively for weather and natural phenomena like rain, snow, or typhoons.
Composed of 'yo' (advance) and 'ho' (report), implying a formal, science-based announcement rather than a personal guess.
Commonly heard in morning news broadcasts, weather apps, and official government announcements regarding disaster prevention.
Follows the 'suru' verb conjugation pattern and typically takes the object particle 'o' or the quotation particle 'to'.

The Japanese verb 予報する (よほうする - yoho-suru) is a cornerstone of daily communication in Japan, a nation where the weather is a constant topic of conversation due to its distinct four seasons and frequent meteorological changes. At its core, the word is composed of two kanji: 予 (yo) meaning 'in advance' or 'beforehand,' and 報 (hō) meaning 'to report' or 'to inform.' When combined with the light verb する (suru), it translates literally to 'to report in advance.' In practical English, this is most commonly 'to forecast' or 'to predict' specifically in the context of weather or environmental conditions.

Official Context: This verb is used by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and professional weather presenters. It implies a degree of scientific basis and officiality that words like 'yoso' (guess) lack.
Daily Life: While individuals don't usually 'yoho-suru' themselves, they frequently quote the news saying 'The weather forecast predicts rain' using this verb in the passive or reported speech forms.

In Japan, checking the weather is almost a ritual. Because of the archipelago's geography, weather can change rapidly. Thus, yoho-suru is heard every morning on television, read on smartphone apps, and discussed in elevators. It is rarely used for things like sports scores or stock market trends; for those, Japanese speakers prefer yosoku (prediction) or yoso (anticipation). The specificity of yoho-suru to the natural world and official announcements is what defines its unique place in the Japanese lexicon.

気象庁は、明日の午後から激しい雨が降ると予報する。 (The Meteorological Agency forecasts that heavy rain will fall starting tomorrow afternoon.)

Understanding this word requires understanding the cultural value placed on preparedness (junbi). In Japan, being caught in the rain without an umbrella is seen as a slight lapse in personal organization, which is why the act of 'forecasting' is taken so seriously. The word carries a weight of responsibility. If a professional 'yoho-suru' and gets it wrong, they often provide detailed explanations for the deviation in the following broadcast.

Furthermore, the verb is often found in its noun form, 予報 (yoho), combined with 天気 (tenki) to create the common phrase tenki-yoho (weather forecast). Using the verb form yoho-suru allows for more dynamic sentences, such as describing the action of a computer model analyzing data to produce a result. It is a Group 3 (Irregular/Suru) verb, making its conjugation predictable once you master the basic 'suru' patterns.

最新のシステムが台風の進路を正確に予報する。 (The latest system forecasts the typhoon's path accurately.)

In summary, yoho-suru is your go-to verb for meteorological predictions. It bridges the gap between scientific observation and public information, serving as a vital link in how Japanese society prepares for the day ahead. Whether it's a sunny day for a picnic or a warning about an approaching blizzard, yoho-suru is the word that delivers the news of the future.

Using 予報する correctly involves understanding its grammatical structure and the specific particles it pairs with. As a transitive verb, it typically takes an object (what is being forecasted) followed by the particle を (o). However, it can also take a clause followed by the quotation particle と (to) to describe the content of the forecast. This flexibility is key for CEFR A2 learners moving into B1 territory.

Structure 1: [Object] + を + 予報する: This is used for direct objects like 'weather' (tenki), 'rain' (ame), or 'temperature' (kion). Example: 'Tenki o yoho-suru' (To forecast the weather).
Structure 2: [Sentence/Clause] + と + 予報する: This is used to state the specific prediction. Example: 'Ame ga furu to yoho-suru' (To forecast that it will rain).

ニュース番組が明日の晴天を予報する。 (The news program forecasts clear weather for tomorrow.)

When speaking politely, you will use 予報します (yoho-shimasu). In casual conversation, you might use the continuous form 予報している (yoho-shite iru) to describe what the current forecast is saying. For example, 'Terebi ga ame da to yoho-shite iru yo' (The TV is forecasting rain). This 'te-iru' form is very natural when referring to an ongoing state of information.

Another important aspect is the usage of time markers. Words like ashita (tomorrow), raishu (next week), or gogo (afternoon) often set the stage for yoho-suru. Because the verb itself implies the future, you don't always need complex future tenses, which don't exist in Japanese in the same way they do in English. The context of the verb yoho-suru handles the 'future' aspect automatically.

アプリは一週間後の天気を正確に予報することが難しい。 (It is difficult for apps to accurately forecast the weather a week from now.)

In more advanced contexts, you might see it combined with other nouns. For instance, 波の高さ (nami no takasa) 'wave height' or 花粉の量 (kafun no ryo) 'pollen count' are objects that are frequently 'yoho-sare-ru' (forecasted) during specific seasons like spring. This shows the verb's versatility within the realm of environmental reporting.

専門家は今年の猛暑を早くから予報していた。 (Experts had been forecasting this year's heatwave from early on.)

Finally, remember that yoho-suru is almost never used for human intuition. If you have a 'feeling' it will rain, you should use ki ga suru or omou. Reserve yoho-suru for when there is data, a map, or a professional source involved. This distinction will make your Japanese sound much more natural and precise.

The most common place to encounter 予報する is during the daily news cycle. In Japan, weather reports are not just a segment at the end of the news; they are often the most-watched part of the broadcast. Weather presenters, known as kisho-yohoshi (weather forecasters), are often celebrities in their own right. When they point to a digital map of the Japanese archipelago, they use yoho-suru to explain what the atmospheric pressure systems are doing.

Morning Television: Shows like NHK's morning news use 'yoho-suru' to tell commuters whether to take a 'folding umbrella' (ori-tatami gasa) or a full-sized one.
Smartphone Notifications: Apps like 'Weathernews' or 'Yahoo! Weather' send push notifications that say 'Rain is forecasted in your area in 10 minutes,' using the verb in its passive form.

ラジオのニュースが、今夜の雪を予報している。 (The radio news is forecasting snow for tonight.)

You will also hear this word in professional environments related to logistics, agriculture, and maritime activities. Farmers rely on those who yoho-suru frost or heavy rain to protect their crops. Similarly, fishermen listen to the radio to hear the 'sea state' being yoho-sare-ru. In these contexts, the word is synonymous with safety and economic stability.

In schools, students learn about the science of weather. A teacher might ask, 'How do we forecast the weather?' using Doshite tenki o yoho-shimasu ka?. This introduces the concept of meteorological instruments and data analysis. In this academic setting, yoho-suru is treated as a scientific verb, distinct from mere guessing.

気象衛星が雲の動きを観測し、雨を予報する。 (Weather satellites observe cloud movement and forecast rain.)

Lastly, in the age of social media, you'll see Twitter (X) accounts dedicated to weather updates. They often use the hashtag #天気予報. When they post an update, they might say 'Kongo no tenkai o yoho-shimasu' (Forecasting the future development), especially during typhoon season when everyone is tracking the storm's 'eye' (taifu no me).

Basically, if you are in Japan and there is a screen or a speaker nearby, you are likely only minutes away from hearing someone yoho-suru the next change in the atmosphere. It is one of the most practical and frequently used verbs for anyone living in or visiting Japan.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with 予報する is using it too broadly. In English, 'forecast' can be used for the economy, sales, or even the outcome of a movie. In Japanese, yoho-suru is strictly disciplined. If you use it to predict who will win the World Cup, a Japanese person will understand you, but it will sound very strange, almost as if you are claiming the winner is determined by atmospheric pressure.

Mistake: Using it for Sports/Games: Incorrect: 'Shiai no kekka o yoho-suru' (Forecasting the match result). Correct: 'Yoso-suru' or 'Yosoku-suru'.
Mistake: Confusing with 'Yogen' (Prophecy): 'Yoho-suru' is based on science. 'Yogen-suru' is based on supernatural or psychic ability. Don't use 'yoho-suru' for Nostradamus!

× 経済の未来を予報する。
○ 経済の未来を予測する。
(Forecasting/Predicting the future of the economy.)

Another common error is the omission of the particle と when quoting the forecast. English speakers often say 'They forecast rain,' which leads them to say 'Ame o yoho-suru.' While grammatically okay, it's much more natural in Japanese to say 'Ame ga furu to yoho-suru' (They forecast *that* it will rain). The difference is subtle but marks the transition from a beginner to an intermediate speaker.

Wait, what about 'Keizai-yoho' (Economic forecast)? You might see this in high-level financial newspapers. However, for a learner at the A2/B1 level, it is 99% safer to stick to weather. Even in business, yosoku is far more common. Using yoho-suru for business can make you sound like you're treating the stock market like a rain cloud, which might confuse your colleagues.

× 彼は宝くじの番号を予報した。
○ 彼は宝くじの番号を予想した。
(He guessed/predicted the lottery numbers.)

Lastly, pay attention to the difference between yoho (the report itself) and yoho-suru (the act of reporting). Beginners often use the noun when they need the verb. 'Tenki yoho desu' is 'It is a weather forecast,' but 'Tenki o yoho-shimasu' is 'I will forecast the weather.' Make sure your 'suru' is there when you want to describe the action!

Japanese has a rich vocabulary for 'predicting' and 'forecasting,' and choosing the right one is essential for sounding natural. 予報する is the most specific, but here are its siblings and how they differ.

予測する (Yosoku-suru): This means 'to predict' based on data and logic. It is used for the economy, population growth, or scientific results. It is more academic than 'yoho'.
予想する (Yoso-suru): This is 'to anticipate' or 'to guess'. It's used for sports results, exam questions, or what someone might say. It involves more personal judgment or intuition.
予言する (Yogen-suru): This is 'to prophesy'. It's for religious or supernatural predictions about the end of the world or future events that aren't based on science.

科学者は地球温暖化の影響を予測する。 (Scientists predict the effects of global warming.)

When comparing yoho and yosoku, think of the 'Ho' (report). Yoho is meant to be broadcast to the public. Yosoku might just stay in a lab or a spreadsheet. You 'yoho' the weather because the whole city needs to know. You 'yosoku' the sales figures for your boss.

Another word you might see is 予知する (Yochi-suru). This specifically means 'to foresee' or 'to have a premonition.' It is often used for earthquakes (jishin-yochi). Since earthquakes cannot be 'forecasted' (yoho) with a specific time and date like rain can, scientists use the term yochi to describe the attempt to detect them beforehand.

地震を完全に予知することは、今の技術では難しい。 (It is difficult to completely foresee earthquakes with current technology.)

Finally, there is 占い (Uranai), which means fortune-telling. While a fortune teller might 'predict' your future, they would never 'yoho-suru' it. They 'uranau' your luck. Understanding these boundaries helps you navigate Japanese social situations without accidentally claiming you have a weather satellite in your brain or that the news anchor is a wizard.

By mastering yoho-suru alongside these alternatives, you gain a precise toolkit for discussing the future in any context, from the lab to the living room.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

Before the word '予報' became standard, weather predictions were sometimes called 'Tenki-uranai' (Weather fortunetelling), showing how the perception shifted from magic to science.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /johóː sɯᵝɾɯᵝ/

US /johóʊ suːruː/

The primary stress in Japanese pitch accent falls on the 'ho' (よホうする).

Rhymes With

情報する (joho-suru - to inform - rare verb form) 重宝する (choho-suru - to treasure/find useful) 朗報 (roho - good news) 吉報 (kippo - good news) 急報 (kyuho - urgent report) 通報 (tsuho - report to police) 広報 (koho - public relations) 誤報 (goho - false report)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'yo' too long (like yoo-hoo).
Forgetting the long 'o' in 'ho' (saying yo-ho-suru instead of yo-hoo-suru).
Stressing the 'su' in suru too much.
Pronouncing 'h' as 'f' (yo-fo-suru).
Confusing the pitch accent with 'yoko' (side).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji are standard but require A2/B1 knowledge. The concept is simple.

Writing 4/5

Writing '報' can be tricky for beginners due to the number of strokes.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward as a suru-verb.

Listening 2/5

Very easy to pick out in weather reports once you know the 'yoho' sound.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

天気 (Weather) 明日 (Tomorrow) 雨 (Rain) する (To do) ニュース (News)

Learn Next

予測 (Prediction/Data) 予想 (Guess/Anticipation) 気象庁 (JMA) 確率 (Probability) 警報 (Warning)

Advanced

線状降水帯 (Linear rainband) 異常気象 (Extreme weather) 気圧配置 (Pressure pattern) 偏西風 (Westerlies) 暖冬 (Mild winter)

Grammar to Know

Suru-verbs (Group 3)

予報する、予報した、予報しない。

Quotation Particle と

雨が降ると予報する。

Passive Voice される

雪が降ると予報される。

Noun Modifying Clauses

明日雨を予報しているアプリ。

Formal Reporting ~ております

晴天を予報しております。

Examples by Level

テレビが明日のはれを予報する。

The TV forecasts tomorrow's sunny weather.

Subject (TV) + ga + Object (hare) + o + yoho-suru.

ニュースは雨を予報します。

The news forecasts rain.

Polite form 'yoho-shimasu'.

アプリが雪を予報している。

The app is forecasting snow.

Continuous form 'yoho-shite-iru' for current state.

天気予報はいつも雨を予報する。

The weather forecast always forecasts rain.

Use of 'itsumo' (always) to modify the frequency.

ラジオで天気を予報します。

They forecast the weather on the radio.

Particle 'de' indicates the medium (radio).

だれが天気を予報しますか。

Who forecasts the weather?

Question form using 'dare' (who).

明日の天気ははれだと予報する。

They forecast that tomorrow's weather is sunny.

Using 'to' to quote the forecast content.

新聞も天気を予報する。

The newspaper also forecasts the weather.

Particle 'mo' means 'also'.

気象庁が台風の接近を予報した。

The Meteorological Agency forecasted the approach of a typhoon.

Past tense 'yoho-shita'.

午後は雨が降ると予報されています。

It is forecasted that it will rain in the afternoon.

Passive polite form 'yoho-sarete-imasu'.

彼は正確に天気を予報することができない。

He cannot accurately forecast the weather.

Potential negative 'yoho-suru koto ga dekinai'.

来週の気温を予報するのは難しい。

It is difficult to forecast next week's temperature.

Nominalizing the verb with 'no wa' (forecasting is...).

最新のAIが天気を予報します。

The latest AI forecasts the weather.

Subject is 'AI'.

予報する時間は毎日決まっている。

The time they forecast is decided every day.

Verb modifying the noun 'jikan' (time).

どこで天気を予報していますか。

Where are they forecasting the weather?

Interrogative 'doko' (where).

嵐を予報したので、海に行かないでください。

Because they forecasted a storm, please do not go to the sea.

Using 'node' to show reason.

専門家は今年の冬が厳しくなると予報している。

Experts are forecasting that this year's winter will be severe.

Quoting a complex clause with 'to'.

降水確率が80パーセントだと予報された。

It was forecasted that the probability of precipitation is 80%.

Passive past 'yoho-sareta'.

桜の開花時期を予報するのは日本の春の恒例だ。

Forecasting the cherry blossom blooming time is a spring tradition in Japan.

Using 'yoho-suru no wa' as the subject.

このシステムは局地的な大雨を予報するのに役立つ。

This system is useful for forecasting localized heavy rain.

Using 'no ni' to mean 'for the purpose of'.

気象予報士が明日の天気を詳しく予報する。

The weather forecaster will forecast tomorrow's weather in detail.

Adverb 'kuwashiku' (in detail).

予報した通りに雨が降り始めた。

It started raining just as forecasted.

Using 'toori ni' (just as/according to).

昨日のニュースは雪が降ると予報していたが、外れた。

Yesterday's news forecasted snow, but it was wrong.

Contrastive 'ga' (but) and 'hazureta' (missed/was wrong).

波の高さが3メートルになると予報されている。

The wave height is forecasted to be 3 meters.

Passive continuous 'yoho-sarete-iru'.

異常気象の影響で、天気を予報するのが難しくなっている。

Due to the influence of extreme weather, forecasting the weather is becoming difficult.

Using 'naru' (to become) in continuous form.

気象庁以外が独自に天気を予報することは法律で制限されている。

Forecasting the weather independently by entities other than the JMA is restricted by law.

Complex subject with 'koto' and 'igai' (except).

電力会社は、明日の電力需要を予報して供給量を調整する。

Electric companies forecast tomorrow's power demand and adjust the supply.

Using 'yoho-shite' to connect two actions.

そのモデルは、10年後の気候変動を予報するために開発された。

That model was developed to forecast climate change ten years from now.

Using 'tame ni' to show purpose.

花粉の飛散量を予報するサービスが人気だ。

Services that forecast the amount of pollen dispersal are popular.

Noun-modifying clause 'yoho-suru saabisu'.

彼らはスーパーコンピュータを使って、線状降水帯を予報しようとしている。

They are trying to forecast linear rainbands using a supercomputer.

Volitional + 'to shite iru' (trying to...).

予報する側も、情報の伝え方には細心の注意を払っている。

Those who forecast are also paying close attention to how they convey information.

Using 'gawa' (side/those who) as a noun.

集中豪雨を事前に予報することは、防災において極めて重要だ。

Forecasting torrential rain in advance is extremely important for disaster prevention.

Adverb 'kiwamete' (extremely).

短期的な気象変動を予報する精度は、ここ数年で飛躍的に向上した。

The accuracy of forecasting short-term meteorological changes has improved dramatically over the last few years.

Subject is 'seido' (accuracy).

農作物の収穫量を左右する冷夏を予報することは、経済的損失を防ぐ鍵となる。

Forecasting a cool summer, which affects crop yields, is key to preventing economic loss.

Complex clause modifying 'reika' (cool summer).

気象学者は、複雑な数理モデルを用いて大気の挙動を予報する。

Meteorologists forecast atmospheric behavior using complex mathematical models.

Formal verb 'moite' (using).

予報する対象が広範囲になればなるほど、誤差が生じやすくなる。

The wider the area to be forecasted, the more likely errors are to occur.

Structure 'ba... hodo' (the more... the more...).

エルニーニョ現象が世界の天候に与える影響を予報するのは至難の業だ。

Forecasting the impact of the El Niño phenomenon on world weather is a Herculean task.

Idiomatic expression 'shinan no waza' (extremely difficult task).

政府は、津波の規模を迅速に予報するシステムの構築を急いでいる。

The government is rushing to build a system to quickly forecast the scale of tsunamis.

Verb 'isugu' (to hurry).

不確実な要素が多い中で、あえて最悪のシナリオを予報することの是非が問われている。

In the midst of many uncertain factors, the pros and cons of daring to forecast the worst-case scenario are being questioned.

Using 'zehi' (pros and cons/right or wrong).

気象データを解析し、将来の渇水リスクを予報する研究が進められている。

Research is underway to analyze weather data and forecast future drought risks.

Passive continuous 'susumerarete-iru'.

カオス理論に基づけば、長期的な気象を完璧に予報することは原理的に不可能である。

Based on chaos theory, it is fundamentally impossible to perfectly forecast long-term weather.

Conditional 'ba' and formal 'de-aru'.

予報する行為そのものが、人々の行動変容を促し、結果として社会に多大な影響を及ぼす。

The act of forecasting itself prompts behavioral changes in people and, as a result, exerts a massive influence on society.

Subject 'koui sono mono' (the act itself).

数値予報モデルの限界を認識しつつ、いかにして確度の高い情報を予報するかが問われている。

While recognizing the limits of numerical forecast models, the question is how to forecast highly reliable information.

Using 'tsutsu' (while/despite).

海洋と大気の相互作用を精緻にシミュレートすることで、異常気象を予報する精度を極限まで高める。

By precisely simulating the interaction between the ocean and the atmosphere, the accuracy of forecasting extreme weather is pushed to its limit.

Adverbial phrase 'kyokugen made' (to the limit).

予報する者の倫理観が、災害時における避難行動の成否を分けることもある。

The ethical sense of those who forecast can sometimes determine the success or failure of evacuation behavior during disasters.

Subject 'rinrikan' (ethics/moral sense).

地球規模の気候変動を予報することは、人類の存続に関わる喫緊の課題である。

Forecasting global-scale climate change is an urgent issue concerning the survival of humanity.

Adjective 'kikkin' (urgent/pressing).

統計的な相関関係のみならず、物理的なメカニズムを解明して予報することが肝要だ。

It is essential to forecast not only based on statistical correlations but also by elucidating physical mechanisms.

Structure 'nominarazu' (not only...).

過去の膨大な観測データと最新の理論を融合させ、前例のない気象事象を予報する。

By fusing vast amounts of past observation data with the latest theories, unprecedented meteorological events are forecasted.

Using 'yugo-sasete' (fusing/merging).

Common Collocations

天気を予報する

雨を予報する

台風を予報する

正確に予報する

外れを予報する

進路を予報する

開花を予報する

需要を予報する

波を予報する

長期的に予報する

Common Phrases

天気予報によると

— According to the weather forecast. Used to cite a source.

天気予報によると、明日は雪です。

予報が当たる

— The forecast is correct. Used when the predicted weather happens.

今日の予報はピタリと当たった。

予報が外れる

— The forecast is wrong. Used when the weather differs from the prediction.

残念ながら、予報が外れて雨になった。

長期予報

— Long-range forecast. A forecast for a month or a season.

長期予報では、今年の夏は暑いそうだ。

週間予報

— Weekly forecast. The weather for the next seven days.

週間予報をチェックして旅行の計画を立てる。

予報士

— Forecaster. Short for 'kisho-yohoshi' (weather forecaster).

彼は有名な予報士だ。

降水予報

— Precipitation forecast. Specific report on rain or snow.

降水予報を見て傘を持っていく。

波浪予報

— Wave/Surf forecast. Important for ships and surfers.

波浪予報が出ているので海には出ない。

警報・予報

— Warnings and forecasts. Often seen together in official alerts.

大雨の警報と予報が出された。

予報業務

— Forecasting business/services. The professional act of providing forecasts.

彼は予報業務に従事している。

Often Confused With

予報する vs 予測 (Yosoku)

Yosoku is for general data predictions; Yoho is for public weather reports.

予報する vs 予想 (Yoso)

Yoso is for guesses and expectations (like sports); Yoho is scientific.

予報する vs 報告 (Hokoku)

Hokoku is reporting what happened; Yoho is reporting what *will* happen.

Idioms & Expressions

"明日の天気を予報する"

— A literal use, but often used as a metaphor for trying to see the immediate future.

ビジネスの明日の天気を予報するのは難しい。

Metaphorical

"予報は予報"

— A forecast is just a forecast. Used to express skepticism about the accuracy.

予報は予報だから、あまり信じすぎないほうがいい。

Casual

"空模様を予報する"

— To forecast the 'look' of the sky. Can imply assessing a situation's atmosphere.

会議の空模様を予報するのは私の役目だ。

Metaphorical

"嵐の前の静けさを予報する"

— To forecast the calm before the storm. Predicting a brief peace before chaos.

彼はいつも最悪の事態を予報する。

Literary

"予報に振り回される"

— To be jerked around by the forecast. Changing plans constantly based on weather reports.

予報に振り回されて、結局どこにも行けなかった。

Common

"晴天の霹靂を予報する"

— To forecast a bolt from the blue (impossible by definition). Used ironically.

そんな事件、誰が予報できたというのか。

Rhetorical

"恵みの雨を予報する"

— To forecast a 'blessing rain'. Predicting much-needed relief.

予報士が恵みの雨を予報した。

Literary

"予報が命"

— The forecast is life (everything). Used by people whose livelihoods depend on weather.

漁師にとって予報は命だ。

Professional

"雨降って地固まるを予報する"

— To forecast that 'after rain, the ground hardens' (things will settle after trouble).

今の混乱のあとの安定を予報する。

Metaphorical

"風向きを予報する"

— To forecast the wind direction. Often used for social or political trends.

世論の風向きを予報するのは政治家の仕事だ。

Metaphorical

Easily Confused

予報する vs 予報 (Yoho)

Noun vs Verb

Yoho is the forecast itself (noun). Yoho-suru is the act of forecasting (verb).

天気予報(noun)を見る。天気を予報する(verb)。

予報する vs 予知 (Yochi)

Both mean 'predicting natural events'

Yoho is for regular, observable patterns (weather). Yochi is for hard-to-detect events (earthquakes).

地震を予知する。

予報する vs 予言 (Yogen)

Both translate as 'predict'

Yogen is mystical/psychic. Yoho is scientific/meteorological.

ノストラダムスが予言する。

予報する vs 予定 (Yotei)

Both start with 'Yo'

Yotei is a plan or schedule. Yoho is a forecast of an external event.

旅行の予定を立てる。

予報する vs 予習 (Yoshu)

Both start with 'Yo'

Yoshu is preparing for a lesson in advance. Yoho is reporting in advance.

学校の予習をする。

Sentence Patterns

[Noun] を予報する

雨を予報する。

[Sentence] と予報している

明日ははれだと予報している。

[Noun] が予報される

台風が予報される。

[Verb-Plain] と予報されている

雪が降ると予報されている。

[Noun] に基づいて予報する

データに基づいて天気を予報する。

[Noun] の是非を予報する

経済への影響を予報する。

予報した通りに [Verb]

予報した通りに雨が降った。

予報によると [Sentence]

予報によると、明日は寒いです。

Word Family

Nouns

予報 (よほう) - Forecast

気象予報士 (きしょうよほうし) - Weather Forecaster

天気予報 (てんきよほう) - Weather Forecast

週間予報 (しゅうかんよほう) - Weekly Forecast

Verbs

報じる (ほうじる) - To report/inform

予報される (よほうされる) - To be forecasted (passive)

気象 (きしょう) - Meteorology

気圧 (きあつ) - Atmospheric pressure

観測 (かんそく) - Observation

予測 (よそく) - Prediction

的中 (てきちゅう) - Hitting the mark/accuracy

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily news and media; medium in casual chat about plans.

Common Mistakes

Using 'yoho-suru' for a guess. → yoso-suru
Yoho-suru is for scientific/official forecasts. If you're just guessing, use yoso-suru.
Saying 'Tenki o yoho desu'. → Tenki o yoho-shimasu.
Yoho is a noun. To use it as an action, you must add 'suru'.
Using it for economic predictions. → yosoku-suru
While 'keizai-yoho' exists, the verb 'yoho-suru' is almost always for weather. Use 'yosoku' for data-based economic predictions.
Forgetting the long 'o' in 'ho'. → yoho- (long o)
Pronouncing it as 'yoho' (short) can sound like other words. Make sure the 'ho' is elongated.
Using 'yoho-suru' for earthquake warnings. → sokuho / yochi
Earthquakes are usually 'sokuho' (prompt report) because they are sudden, or 'yochi' (foreseeing) in scientific research.

Tips

Think Umbrella

Whenever you think of an umbrella, think of 'yoho-suru'. It is the verb that tells you if you need one.

Quoting correctly

Always use 'to' when you want to say *what* the forecast is. 'Ame da to yoho-shite-iru' is the most natural way to report news.

Watch the News

Japanese morning news shows (like ZIP! or Mezamashi TV) are great for hearing 'yoho-suru' in context multiple times a day.

YO-HO-HO

A pirate looks at the sky and says 'YO-HO! I forecast rain!' It's silly, but you'll never forget the sound.

Kanji Breakdown

Focus on 'Yo' (advance). It's in 'Yotei' (plan) and 'Yoyaku' (reservation). All these 'Yo' words are about the future!

Small Talk

In Japan, talking about the 'yoho' is the safest and most common way to start a conversation with a stranger or colleague.

App Settings

Change your phone's weather app to Japanese. You will see '予報' everywhere, helping you learn by immersion.

Official vs Personal

Never use 'yoho-suru' for your own gut feeling. It makes you sound like you think you're a government agency.

Spring Context

In March and April, 'kaika-yoho' (bloom forecast) is more popular than the actual weather forecast. Look for it!

Disaster Prep

During typhoon season, 'yoho-suru' is used for the storm's path. Knowing this word helps you stay safe.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'YO' as 'YOu' looking at the 'HO'rizon to see what's coming. You 'YO-HO' when you see the weather report!

Visual Association

Imagine a TV screen with a big 'YO' and 'HO' on it, and a sun icon in the middle. The 'YO' is a person looking ahead, and 'HO' is a megaphone reporting what they see.

Word Web

天気 (Weather) 雨 (Rain) 晴れ (Sunny) 気象庁 (JMA) 傘 (Umbrella) ニュース (News) 明日 (Tomorrow) 当たる (To hit/be correct)

Challenge

Try to find a Japanese weather app and look for the word 予報. Can you identify if it's used as a noun or a verb?

Word Origin

The word is a Sino-Japanese compound (Kango). '予' (yo) dates back to ancient Chinese meaning 'beforehand'. '報' (ho) relates to reporting or repaying. The combination for weather specifically became standardized in the late 19th century as Japan modernized its scientific reporting.

Original meaning: To give a report in advance of an event.

Sino-Japanese (Kango)

Cultural Context

Always take 'yoho' about natural disasters (typhoons, tsunamis) seriously in Japan. It is not a topic for light joking during an active alert.

In English, we use 'forecast' for many things (sales, stocks). In Japanese, keep it to the weather.

Tenki no Ko (Weathering With You) - A movie centered on weather. NHK Morning Weather - A cultural staple in Japanese homes. Weathernews Inc. - One of the world's largest private weather companies, based in Japan.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Morning Routine

天気予報を見る
雨の予報を確認する
予報に従って傘を持つ
予報が外れて困る

Travel Planning

目的地の天気を予報する
週間予報をチェックする
予報が悪いので延期する
晴れの予報を願う

Professional/Agriculture

霜を予報する
台風の進路を予報する
予報業務の許可
正確な予報が必要だ

Casual Chat

予報、見た？
明日雨だって予報だよ
予報、当たったね
予報、外れたね

News/Media

最新の予報をお伝えします
気象予報士の解説
広範囲で雪を予報
予報に変更があります

Conversation Starters

"今日の天気予報、見た？ (Did you see today's weather forecast?)"

"明日の天気、どう予報されてる？ (How is tomorrow's weather being forecasted?)"

"最近の予報、よく当たるよね。 (Recently, the forecasts have been hitting the mark often, haven't they?)"

"予報では雨だけど、降ると思う？ (The forecast says rain, but do you think it will?)"

"どこの天気予報アプリが一番正確に予報するかな？ (Which weather forecast app do you think forecasts most accurately?)"

Journal Prompts

今日の天気予報は当たりましたか。それとも外れましたか。 (Did today's weather forecast come true? Or was it wrong?)

あなたが一番信頼している天気予報のソースは何ですか。 (What is the weather forecast source you trust the most?)

もしあなたが気象予報士だったら、どんな天気を予報したいですか。 (If you were a weather forecaster, what kind of weather would you want to forecast?)

予報が外れて困った経験について書いてください。 (Write about an experience where you were in trouble because the forecast was wrong.)

正確に天気を予報することは、なぜ大切だと思いますか。 (Why do you think it is important to accurately forecast the weather?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Generally, no. For stocks, 'yosoku' (prediction) or 'yoso' (anticipation) is much more natural. 'Yoho-suru' is almost exclusively for weather or natural phenomena like pollen and waves. If you use it for stocks, people will think you are being metaphorical, like 'the weather of the market'.

It is a standard verb. It's used in formal news broadcasts, but it's also used in casual conversation. The formality depends on the ending (shimasu vs. suru) rather than the word itself.

They are the same. 'Yoho' is the romaji representation, and 'yohou' represents the long 'o' sound (よほう). In this API, we use 'yoho' for simplicity, but the 'ho' is always long.

Usually, only a 'Kisho-yohoshi' (certified forecaster) or an organization like 'Kishocho' (JMA) is the subject. A regular person might say 'The news says...', but they wouldn't say 'I forecast rain' unless they are a professional.

You say 'Yoho ga hazureta' (予報が外れた). 'Hazureta' is the past tense of 'hazureru', meaning to miss or be off the mark.

Actually, the JMA uses 'Kinkyu Jishin Sokuho' (Emergency Earthquake Prompt Report). For long-term earthquake predictions, 'yochi' is more common. 'Yoho' is for things that have a recurring, observable pattern like weather.

Use 'o' for the object (Tenki o yoho-suru) or 'to' for a quoted clause (Ame ga furu to yoho-suru).

Yes! 'Sakura no kaika o yoho-suru' (To forecast the cherry blossom blooming) is a very common phrase in spring.

Yes, it is extremely common. You will hear it or see the noun form every single day if you live in Japan.

No. Use 'yoso-suru'. Using 'yoho-suru' for sports sounds like you're using a scientific instrument to measure the players' atmospheric pressure.