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A2 noun 8 min read

天気予報

tenkiyohō
Examples 天気予報 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 天気予報 in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should recognize '天気予報' (Tenki Yohō) as a single word that means 'weather forecast.' You will mostly hear it in the context of basic daily needs. For example, knowing if you need an umbrella or if it will be sunny (hare) or rainy (ame). At this stage, don't worry about the complex kanji; just focus on the sound and the general meaning. You might hear a teacher say 'Tenki yohō o mimashō' (Let's look at the weather forecast). It is one of the most useful words for basic survival in Japan because the weather changes frequently. You can use it with simple verbs like 'miru' (to see). Even if you can't read the kanji yet, seeing the icons for sun and rain on a screen next to these characters will help you identify it. It is a foundational noun for talking about the immediate future and making simple plans like going to the park or staying home.
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At the A2 level, you begin to use '天気予報' in more complete sentences and understand its role in social interactions. You should be able to use the particle 'de' to say where you saw the forecast (e.g., 'terebi de' - on TV) and the particle 'ni yoru to' to say 'according to the forecast.' This level involves planning with others, so you might say 'Tenki yohō ni yoru to, ashita wa ame desu yo' (According to the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow). You also learn that 'Tenki' is just 'weather' and 'Yohō' is 'forecast.' You can start to recognize the kanji: 天 (heaven/sky), 気 (spirit/energy), 予 (advance), and 報 (report). Understanding this breakdown helps you remember the meaning. You should also be able to understand simple weather reports on the radio that use this word followed by temperature (kion) and precipitation probability (kōsui kakuritsu).
At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '天気予報' in various grammatical structures, including the 'hearsay' forms like 'sō desu' and 'rashii desu.' You understand that citing a forecast is a standard way to start a conversation or justify a change in plans. You can also use related terms like 'shūkan yohō' (weekly forecast) and 'pinpointo yohō' (localized forecast). At this stage, you notice the nuance between 'Tenki Yohō' and 'Kishō Jōhō' (meteorological information), the latter being more formal. You can discuss the accuracy of the forecast using verbs like 'ataru' (to be correct) or 'hazureru' (to be wrong). You might say, 'Saikin no tenki yohō wa yoku hazuremasu ne' (Lately, the weather forecasts are often wrong, aren't they?). This level allows you to engage in small talk about the climate and more complex planning for travel or outdoor events.
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At the B2 level, you use '天気予報' in professional or semi-formal contexts. You can understand more detailed meteorological discussions that follow the forecast, such as those involving high-pressure systems (kōkiatsu) or cold fronts (kanrei zensen). You might use the word when discussing the impact of weather on business, such as how a bad forecast might affect sales at a cafe. You are familiar with the professional title 'Tenki Yohō-shi' (Certified Weather Forecaster) and the legal requirements for issuing forecasts in Japan. You can also use the word metaphorically, though it is less common than in English. You understand the historical context of weather reporting in Japan and how the JMA (Japan Meteorological Agency) provides the data for these forecasts. You can debate the social responsibility of accurate forecasting during natural disasters like typhoons.
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At the C1 level, your understanding of '天気予報' extends to its nuances in media discourse and technical literature. You can analyze how different news outlets present the 'tenki yohō' to influence public behavior or safety. You understand the linguistic differences between a 'forecast' (yohō) and a 'warning' (keihō) or 'advisory' (chūihō), and how 'tenki yohō' serves as the umbrella term for these communications. You can read complex articles about the evolution of forecasting technology (like supercomputers and satellites) and how they have improved the 'tenki yohō' over the decades. Your vocabulary includes specialized terms like 'jisetsu-teki na tenki yohō' (seasonal weather forecast). You can engage in high-level discussions about the ethics of weather modification and the limitations of long-term climate 'yosoku' (predictions) versus short-term 'yohō'.
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At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of '天気予報' and can use it in any register, from extremely formal scientific reports to casual slang or literary contexts. You might encounter the term in literature where the 'tenki yohō' serves as a symbolic element, representing the unpredictability of fate or the rigid structure of modern society. You can understand the nuances of weather-related proverbs and how they relate to historical forecasting methods used before the modern 'tenki yohō' existed. You can critique the presentation styles of different weather personalities and understand the subtle social cues they use to convey urgency without causing panic. Your command of the language allows you to use the term in complex rhetorical structures, perhaps comparing political 'forecasts' to meteorological ones, and you can navigate technical discussions with meteorologists using the full range of Japanese scientific terminology.
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Examples

天気予報 in 30 Seconds

  • Tenki Yohō means weather forecast, a vital tool for daily planning in Japan due to its diverse and changing climate conditions.
  • The word combines 'Tenki' (weather) and 'Yohō' (forecast), emphasizing official or scientific prediction rather than just a casual guess.
  • It is commonly used with the phrase 'ni yoru to' (according to) to cite sources on TV, apps, or radio broadcasts.
  • In Japanese culture, checking the forecast is a social norm, influencing decisions from fashion to outdoor community events and festivals.

The Japanese word 天気予報 (てんきよほう - Tenki Yohō) is a compound noun that translates directly to 'weather forecast.' In the landscape of Japanese daily life, this word is not merely a utility but a cultural touchstone. Japan's geography, being an archipelago with four distinct seasons and a high frequency of natural phenomena like typhoons and heavy snowfall, makes the act of checking the weather a vital ritual. The term is composed of two primary parts: Tenki (weather) and Yohō (forecast or prediction). Unlike a casual 'guess,' a Yohō implies a level of official reporting, typically associated with the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) or professional broadcasters.

Daily Routine
In Japan, the tenki yohō is checked religiously every morning. It determines whether one carries an umbrella (kasa), what type of coat to wear, and even the scheduling of laundry (sentaku), which is often hung outside. If the forecast predicts rain later in the day, you will see thousands of people carrying 'plastic umbrellas' (binīru-gasa) even under a clear blue morning sky.

朝のニュースで天気予報を確認しました。(I checked the weather forecast on the morning news.)

The word is used in both formal and informal settings. On television, the o-tenki onēsan (weather lady) or o-tenki oniisan (weather man) provides detailed breakdowns including humidity, UV index, and pollen counts—data points that are arguably more prioritized in Japan than in many Western countries. When people discuss their plans, they often lead with a reference to the forecast to justify their decisions.

Seasonality
During the 'Tsuyu' (rainy season), the tenki yohō becomes the most-watched segment of the news. Similarly, in spring, the 'Sakura Zensen' (Cherry Blossom Front) is a specific type of forecast that tracks the blooming of flowers across the nation, demonstrating how deeply integrated these predictions are with the Japanese aesthetic and social calendar.

天気予報によると、明日は台風が来るそうです。(According to the weather forecast, a typhoon is coming tomorrow.)

Furthermore, the concept of 'unreliability' in forecasts is a common topic of small talk. If a forecast is wrong, people might say tenki yohō ga hazureta (the forecast missed the mark). This highlights the expectation of accuracy that the Japanese public holds for their meteorological services. Whether you are a student planning a field trip or a salaryman deciding on a commute route, tenki yohō is an indispensable tool for navigating the complexities of the Japanese climate.

Using 天気予報 correctly involves understanding its role as a noun and the common particles that accompany it. Most frequently, it is used with the particle ni yoru to (according to) or de (by means of/on). Because it is a formal term, it is often found in polite speech, but it is equally common in casual conversation when planning outings.

Structure 1: According to...
The pattern [天気予報] + [によれば/によると] is the standard way to cite the forecast as a source of information. This is followed by a statement ending in sō da or rashii to indicate hearsay.

天気予報によれば、午後は晴れる見込みです。(According to the weather forecast, it is expected to clear up in the afternoon.)

When you want to say you 'checked' the forecast, you use the verb miru (to see/watch) or chekku suru (to check). For more formal contexts, such as a professional setting, kakunin suru (to confirm) is preferred. You can check the forecast 'on' various platforms using the particle de.

Structure 2: Checking the forecast
スマホで天気予報を見ました (I saw the weather forecast on my smartphone). Here, sumaho de indicates the medium.

出かける前に天気予報を確認したほうがいいですよ。(You should check the weather forecast before going out.)

In more advanced usage, tenki yohō can be part of a compound noun such as tenki yohō-shi (weather forecaster/meteorologist). This refers to the professional qualification required to present weather data on television. When discussing the accuracy of the forecast, verbs like ataru (to be right/hit) and hazureru (to be wrong/miss) are essential.

Structure 3: Accuracy
今日の天気予報は当たりました (Today's weather forecast was correct). This is a very common phrase when the weather turns out exactly as predicted.

最近の天気予報はとても正確です。(Recent weather forecasts are very accurate.)

By mastering these patterns, you can discuss plans, climate trends, and daily logistics with ease. The word acts as a bridge between simple observations of the sky and the organized scientific reporting of modern Japan.

You will encounter 天気予報 in almost every facet of Japanese media. It is perhaps the most ubiquitous piece of information shared across the country. If you turn on the television at 6:55 AM, 7:55 AM, or during any news hour, a dedicated segment for tenki yohō will appear, complete with maps of the Japanese archipelago and colorful icons (sun, clouds, umbrellas).

Public Transportation
On major train lines like the Yamanote Line in Tokyo, electronic displays above the doors cycle through news, advertisements, and—invariably—the tenki yohō for the next 24 hours. It is provided so that commuters can prepare for their journey home.

電車の液晶画面で天気予報が流れています。(The weather forecast is playing on the train's LCD screen.)

In the digital realm, Japanese smartphone users rely heavily on apps like 'Yahoo! Weather' or 'Weathernews.' These apps send push notifications using the word tenki yohō to warn about sudden rain (guerrilla rainstorms) or temperature drops. In the office, coworkers might start a conversation by saying, 'Did you see the tenki yohō? It's going to snow tonight.'

Radio and Podcasts
Radio stations have a 'Tenki Yohō' jingle. It's a standard part of the hourly broadcast, often paired with traffic reports (kōtsū jōhō). This is essential for drivers on Japan's narrow, winding mountain roads where weather can change rapidly.

ラジオの天気予報では、夕方から雨だと言っていました。(The radio weather forecast said it would rain from the evening.)

Finally, in schools and community centers, printed bulletins often include a tenki yohō section for the week to help families plan events like 'Undōkai' (Sports Day). Because outdoor events are so central to Japanese community life, the forecast is treated with high social importance.

For English speakers learning Japanese, the most common mistake is confusing Tenki (weather) with Tenki Yohō (weather forecast). In English, we might say 'The weather is on TV,' but in Japanese, you must specify that it is the forecast that is on TV. You can't 'watch the weather' (tenki o miru) in the same sense as 'watching the forecast' (tenki yohō o miru).

Mistake 1: Using 'Tenki' for 'Forecast'
Incorrect: 天気は何と言っていますか？ (What does the weather say?)
Correct: 天気予報は何と言っていますか？ (What does the weather forecast say?)

× 天気を見て、傘を持ってきました。
○ 天気予報を見て、傘を持ってきました。

Another common error involves the particle choice. Students often use o (object marker) when they should use ni yoru to (according to). If you are stating what the forecast said, the 'according to' structure is much more natural than saying 'The forecast said...' with a direct object.

Mistake 2: Direct Translation of 'The forecast says...'
While Tenki yohō ga ... to itte imasu is technically understandable, it sounds personified. It is better to use Tenki yohō ni yoru to ... sō desu.

Lastly, learners sometimes forget to use the hearsay endings (sō desu, rashii desu) when citing a forecast. In Japanese, because you didn't personally witness the future weather, you must grammatically acknowledge that you are passing on information from another source (the forecast).

Mistake 3: Forgetting Hearsay Endings
Incorrect: 天気予報によると、明日は雨です。(Too certain/direct)
Correct: 天気予報によると、明日は雨だそうです。

While 天気予報 is the most common term for a general weather report, there are several related terms that offer more specific nuances. Understanding these will help you sound more like a native speaker and improve your reading comprehension of news reports.

気象情報 (Kishō Jōhō)
Meaning 'Meteorological Information.' This is more technical and formal than tenki yohō. It is often used during emergencies, typhoons, or in academic contexts. While a 'forecast' is a prediction, 'information' includes current data like wind speed and pressure.
予報 (Yohō) vs. 予測 (Yosoku) vs. 予想 (Yosō)
  • 予報: Specifically for reporting future events like weather or earthquakes.
  • 予測: Scientific prediction based on data (e.g., economic growth).
  • 予想: A personal guess or expectation (e.g., who will win a game).

明日の天気はどうなるか予想してみましょう。(Let's try to guess what tomorrow's weather will be.)

Another alternative is O-tenki (The weather), which is often used in casual settings as a shorthand for the forecast segment of a show. For example, 'O-tenki mita?' (Did you see the weather/forecast?).

週間予報 (Shūkan Yohō)
This means 'Weekly Forecast.' When planning a trip for the upcoming weekend, you would specifically look for the shūkan yohō rather than just the daily report.

週間予報を確認して、旅行の日程を決めました。(I checked the weekly forecast and decided on the travel dates.)

By distinguishing between these terms, you can more accurately express whether you are citing a scientific report, making a personal guess, or looking at long-term meteorological trends.

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Examples by Level

1

天気予報を見ます。

I watch the weather forecast.

Uses the direct object particle 'o'.

2

明日の天気予報は何ですか？

What is tomorrow's weather forecast?

Simple 'A wa B desu ka' structure.

3

天気予報は晴れです。

The weather forecast is 'sunny'.

Noun + desu.

4

テレビで天気予報をチェックします。

I check the weather forecast on TV.

Particle 'de' indicates the medium.

5

天気予報、好きですか？

Do you like the weather forecast?

Casual question.

6

天気予報は雨でした。

The weather forecast was 'rain'.

Past tense 'deshita'.

7

母は毎日天気予報を見ます。

My mother watches the weather forecast every day.

Adverb 'mainichi' + verb.

8

天気予報を見てください。

Please look at the weather forecast.

Request form '-te kudasai'.

1

天気予報によると、明日は雨だそうです。

According to the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow.

Uses 'ni yoru to' for source and 'sō desu' for hearsay.

2

出かける前に天気予報を確認しました。

I confirmed the weather forecast before going out.

Uses 'mae ni' (before).

3

天気予報が外れました。

The weather forecast was wrong.

Verb 'hazureru' (to miss/be wrong).

4

最近の天気予報はよく当たります。

Recent weather forecasts are often correct.

Verb 'ataru' (to hit/be correct).

5

ラジオで天気予報を聞きました。

I heard the weather forecast on the radio.

Particle 'de' for medium.

6

スマホの天気予報は便利です。

Smartphone weather forecasts are convenient.

Adjective 'benri' (convenient).

7

天気予報で雪と言っていました。

They said 'snow' on the weather forecast.

Uses 'to itte imashita' for reported speech.

8

週間天気予報を見ましょう。

Let's look at the weekly weather forecast.

Compound noun 'shūkan tenki yohō'.

1

天気予報を信じて、洗濯物を干しました。

Trusting the weather forecast, I hung out the laundry.

Verb 'shinjiru' (to trust) in -te form.

2

天気予報が雨だったので、試合は中止になりました。

Because the weather forecast was rain, the match was canceled.

Uses 'node' for reason.

3

今の天気予報は1時間ごとの情報がわかります。

Current weather forecasts provide hourly information.

'Goto' means 'every/at intervals of'.

4

天気予報士の話はとても分かりやすいです。

The weather forecaster's explanation is very easy to understand.

Compound 'tenki yohō-shi'.

5

旅行の前に週間予報をチェックするのが習慣です。

It's my habit to check the weekly forecast before a trip.

'Shūkan' (habit) + 'no desu' structure.

6

天気予報が当たったので、濡れずに済みました。

Since the forecast was right, I managed to avoid getting wet.

'-zu ni sumu' means 'managed without doing'.

7

どのサイトの天気予報が一番正確ですか？

Which website's weather forecast is the most accurate?

Superlative 'ichiban'.

8

天気予報では午後から雷雨の恐れがあるそうです。

According to the forecast, there is a risk of thunderstorms from the afternoon.

'Osore ga aru' means 'there is a fear/risk of'.

1

天気予報の精度が年々向上しています。

The accuracy of weather forecasts is improving year by year.

'Seido' (accuracy/precision) and 'kōjō suru' (to improve).

2

気象庁が発表する天気予報は信頼性が高いです。

The weather forecasts released by the Meteorological Agency are highly reliable.

'Shinrai-sei' (reliability).

3

天気予報のデータに基づいて、イベントの開催を判断します。

We will decide whether to hold the event based on weather forecast data.

'~ni motozuite' (based on).

4

台風接近に伴い、天気予報が頻繁に更新されています。

As the typhoon approaches, the weather forecast is being updated frequently.

'~ni tomonai' (along with/as ... happens).

5

天気予報を鵜呑みにするのは危険な場合もあります。

It can be dangerous to blindly believe the weather forecast.

'Unomi ni suru' (to swallow whole/believe blindly).

6

予報が外れた場合のバックアッププランを考えておきましょう。

Let's think of a backup plan in case the forecast is wrong.

Conditional 'baai'.

7

天気予報の背景には複雑な計算モデルがあります。

Behind weather forecasts are complex computational models.

'Haikei' (background).

8

局地的な天気予報は、登山家にとって非常に重要です。

Localized weather forecasts are extremely important for mountain climbers.

'Kyokuchi-teki' (localized).

1

天気予報における数値予報モデルの役割を解説します。

I will explain the role of numerical prediction models in weather forecasting.

'~ni okeru' (in/at).

2

異常気象の影響で、従来の天気予報が通用しにくくなっています。

Due to extreme weather, traditional weather forecasting is becoming harder to apply.

'-nikui' (hard to do).

3

天気予報の不確実性をどのように伝えるかが課題です。

How to communicate the uncertainty of weather forecasts is a challenge.

'Fukakujitsu-sei' (uncertainty).

4

最新の衛星データが、天気予報の解像度を飛躍的に高めました。

The latest satellite data has dramatically increased the resolution of weather forecasts.

'Hiyaku-teki' (dramatically/leapingly).

5

天気予報の法的枠組みについて、気象業務法を確認する必要があります。

Regarding the legal framework of weather forecasting, it's necessary to check the Meteorological Service Act.

'Waku-gumi' (framework).

6

メディアによる天気予報の過剰な演出が問題視されています。

Excessive dramatization of weather forecasts by the media is being seen as a problem.

'Mondai-shi sareru' (to be viewed as a problem).

7

長期的な天気予報は、農業経営におけるリスク管理の要です。

Long-term weather forecasting is the cornerstone of risk management in agricultural management.

'Kaname' (cornerstone/pivot).

8

天気予報の歴史を紐解くと、人々の自然観の変遷が見えてきます。

Unraveling the history of weather forecasting reveals the transition of people's views on nature.

'Himotoku' (to unravel/read).

1

天気予報が外れることへの不寛容さは、現代社会の制御欲の現れかもしれない。

The intolerance toward incorrect weather forecasts might be a manifestation of modern society's desire for control.

Abstract philosophical observation.

2

カオス理論の観点からすれば、完璧な天気予報は原理的に不可能です。

From the perspective of chaos theory, a perfect weather forecast is fundamentally impossible.

'~no kanten kara sureba' (from the perspective of).

3

彼は人生の機微を、まるで天気予報を読み解くかのように察知する。

He perceives the subtleties of life as if deciphering a weather forecast.

Metaphorical usage.

4

天気予報という科学的言説が、我々の身体感覚をいかに規定しているかを考察する。

Consider how the scientific discourse of weather forecasting defines our bodily sensations.

Academic critique.

5

予報官の些細な語彙の選択が、避難行動に及ぼす心理的影響は甚大である。

The psychological impact that a forecaster's subtle choice of vocabulary has on evacuation behavior is immense.

'Jindai' (immense/enormous).

6

古の知恵と現代の天気予報が交差する地点に、新たな気象学の地平がある。

At the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern weather forecasting lies a new horizon for meteorology.

Poetic/Academic synthesis.

7

天気予報のアルゴリズムに潜むバイアスを排除する努力が続けられている。

Efforts are being made to eliminate biases lurking in weather forecasting algorithms.

'Hisomu' (to lurk/be hidden).

8

社会インフラとしての天気予報は、もはや空気のような存在となっている。

Weather forecasting as a social infrastructure has become something as taken for granted as air.

'~mo haya ... no yō na' (already like...).

Common Collocations

天気予報を見る
天気予報が当たる
天気予報が外れる
天気予報によると
天気予報を確認する
週間天気予報
天気予報士
天気予報番組
正確な天気予報
天気予報をチェックする

Common Phrases

天気予報はどう？

— How is the weather forecast? Used to ask for the prediction.

「ねえ、明日の天気予報はどう？」「晴れだよ。」

天気予報が信じられない

— I can't believe the weather forecast. Used when the forecast seems unlikely.

こんなに晴れているのに、天気予報が信じられない。

天気予報どおり

— Just as the weather forecast said. Used when the weather matches the prediction.

天気予報どおりに雨が降り始めた。

天気予報をあてにする

— To rely on the weather forecast. Used when making plans based on it.

天気予報をあてにして、傘を持たずに出た。

天気予報のハズレ

— A missed forecast. Used as a noun to describe a wrong prediction.

昨日の天気予報のハズレはひどかった。

天気予報を伝える

— To report/convey the weather forecast.

ニュースキャスターが天気予報を伝えている。

天気予報に一喜一憂する

— To be alternately happy and sad depending on the forecast.

遠足の前日は、天気予報に一喜一憂する。

天気予報の精度

— The accuracy of the weather forecast.

天気予報の精度が上がっている。

天気予報のマーク

— The symbols/icons in the weather forecast.

天気予報のマークが雪に変わった。

天気予報を読み上げる

— To read out the weather forecast (like on the radio).

アナウンサーが天気予報を読み上げる。

Idioms & Expressions

"女心と秋の空"

— A woman's heart and the autumn sky. Refers to how both are as unpredictable as a weather forecast.

彼女の気持ちは「

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Related Content

This Word in Other Languages

天气预报 Chinese
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