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B1 noun #10,000 most common 2 min read

豪雪

gousetsu Top 10,000

豪雪 describes extremely heavy snowfall that can cause significant problems.

Practice it Notes & Tips

豪雪 in 30 Seconds

B1
noun
weather

§ Understanding 豪雪 (Gōsetsu)

The Japanese word 豪雪 (gōsetsu) refers to extremely heavy snowfall. It's a compound word: 豪 (gō) means 'great, vast, powerful,' and 雪 (setsu) means 'snow.' So, literally, it means 'great snow.' This isn't just a little bit of snow; it implies a significant amount that can cause disruptions.

Japanese Word: 豪雪 (ごうせつ)
Noun, CEFR B1

Definition: Extremely heavy snowfall; a snowstorm with significant accumulation.

§ How to Use It in a Sentence

You'll typically find 豪雪 used as a noun, often describing a situation or phenomenon. Here's how to integrate it into your sentences effectively:

As a direct object or subject: 豪雪 can be the subject of a sentence using particles like が (ga) or は (wa), or the object using を (o) (though less common in this context).
With verbs like 見舞われる (mimawareru - to be struck by/suffer from) or 襲われる (osowareru - to be attacked by): These verbs are often used to describe natural disasters, including heavy snow.
Describing a region or event: You can use it to describe an area known for heavy snow or an event that was characterized by it.

Let's look at some examples:

今朝、この地域は豪雪に見舞われた。

Translation Hint: This morning, this region was hit by heavy snowfall.

豪雪のため、多くの交通機関が麻痺した。

Translation Hint: Due to the heavy snowfall, many transportation systems were paralyzed.

北国の冬は、いつも豪雪との戦いだ。

Translation Hint: Winter in the northern country is always a battle against heavy snow.

§ Common Phrases and Patterns with 豪雪

You'll often hear or read 豪雪 in combination with certain other words or grammatical patterns. Knowing these will help you recognize and use it naturally.

豪雪地帯 (gōsetsu chitai): This means "heavy snowfall region" or "heavy snow area." Japan has several such regions, particularly on its Japan Sea coast.
豪雪による (gōsetsu ni yoru): "Due to heavy snowfall." This is a common way to express causation.
豪雪に見舞われる (gōsetsu ni mimawareru): "To be struck/afflicted by heavy snowfall." This phrase is very common when talking about the impact of heavy snow.
記録的な豪雪 (kirokuteki na gōsetsu): "Record-breaking heavy snowfall." Used to emphasize an unusually large amount of snow.

ここは日本でも有数の豪雪地帯です。

Translation Hint: This is one of Japan's leading heavy snowfall regions.

豪雪による被害は甚大だった。

Translation Hint: The damage caused by the heavy snowfall was immense.

Fun Fact

Many Japanese words related to natural phenomena combine a kanji describing the intensity or nature of the phenomenon with a kanji for the phenomenon itself.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a **GO**rilla experiencing an extreme **SET**back due to the **SU**per heavy snow. (Gou-setsu)

Visual Association

Picture a massive, almost overwhelming amount of snow piling up, completely covering everything. Think of mountains of snow, with drifts higher than houses, emphasizing the 'extreme' aspect of '豪雪'.

Word Web

雪 (ゆき - yuki): snow 大雪 (おおゆき - ooyuki): heavy snow (less extreme than 豪雪) 吹雪 (ふぶき - fubuki): snowstorm 積雪 (せきせつ - sekisetsu): accumulated snow 雪崩 (なだれ - nadare): avalanche

Challenge

Describe a time you experienced or imagined extremely heavy snowfall using 豪雪. For example: 「昨日は豪雪だったので、学校は休みになりました。」(Yesterday was extremely heavy snowfall, so school was canceled.)

Word Origin

豪 (gō) 'overpowering, great' + 雪 (setsu) 'snow'

Original meaning: Overpowering snow

Sino-Japanese (kango)

Cultural Context

The term 豪雪 (gōsetsu) is commonly used to describe severe winter conditions, particularly in regions of Japan known for heavy snowfall, such as the Japan Sea coast. It often implies not just a lot of snow, but snow that poses challenges to daily life, infrastructure, and can even be dangerous.

Test Yourself 12 questions

multiple choice B1

Choose the sentence where 「豪雪」 is used correctly.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: A. 昨夜は豪雪が降って、道が滑りやすくなりました。

「豪雪」 refers to heavy snowfall, so it makes sense in the context of snow falling and making roads slippery.

multiple choice B1

Which of the following situations would most likely involve 「豪雪」?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: C. A severe winter storm in a mountain region.

「豪雪」 specifically describes extremely heavy snowfall, which is characteristic of severe winter storms, especially in snowy regions.

multiple choice B1

Which word is a synonym for 「豪雪」?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: B. 吹雪 (blizzard)

While not a perfect synonym, 「吹雪」 (blizzard) also describes severe winter weather with heavy snow, making it the closest option.

true false B1

「豪雪」 can be used to describe a light dusting of snow.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

「豪雪」 specifically means 'extremely heavy snowfall', so it cannot describe a light dusting.

true false B1

When there is 「豪雪」, it is generally safe to travel by car.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

「豪雪」 implies dangerous conditions due to very heavy snow, making travel unsafe.

true false B1

Many regions in northern Japan experience 「豪雪」 during winter.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: True

Northern Japan is known for its heavy snowfall in winter, so 「豪雪」 is a common phenomenon there.

listening C2

Listen for the impact of heavy snow on transportation.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 今年の冬は豪雪に見舞われ、交通機関に大きな影響が出ました。