Meaning
Indicates that rain is falling.
Cultural Background
Rainy days are synonymous with 'Pajeon' (scallion pancake) and 'Makgeolli' (rice wine). The sound of rain is said to resemble the sizzle of pancakes. Fashionable rain gear, especially colorful 'Rain Boots' (레인부츠), is a major trend during the summer monsoon season. Rain is a very common theme in K-Pop and Indie music, usually representing sadness, nostalgia, or a 'moody' atmosphere. Historically, rain was seen as a blessing from the heavens. Rituals called 'Gi-u-je' ({祈雨祭|기우제}) were performed during droughts to ask for rain.
Drop the 'ga'
In casual conversation, Koreans often just say '비 와요' instead of '비가 와요'.
Don't use 'it'
Never try to translate 'It' into Korean for weather. Just start with the noun 'Bi'.
Meaning
Indicates that rain is falling.
Drop the 'ga'
In casual conversation, Koreans often just say '비 와요' instead of '비가 와요'.
Don't use 'it'
Never try to translate 'It' into Korean for weather. Just start with the noun 'Bi'.
Add '많이' (man-i)
If it's raining hard, say '비가 많이 와요' to sound more natural.
The Pajeon Connection
Mentioning you want to eat pajeon because it's raining is a 10/10 cultural move.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct subject marker.
비___ 와요.
Since '비' ends in a vowel, the subject marker '가' is used.
Which sentence means 'It rained yesterday'?
Choose the correct past tense form.
'왔어요' is the past tense of '와요'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 우산이 있어요? B: 아니요, 없어요. 왜요? A: 밖을 보세요. 지금 _______.
The context of asking for an umbrella implies it is raining.
Match the phrase to the situation: '비가 올 거예요.'
When would you say this?
'올 거예요' is the future tense.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Rainy Day Essentials
Items
- • 우산 (Umbrella)
- • 장화 (Rain boots)
Food
- • 파전 (Pancake)
- • 막걸리 (Rice wine)
Practice Bank
4 exercises비___ 와요.
Since '비' ends in a vowel, the subject marker '가' is used.
Choose the correct past tense form.
'왔어요' is the past tense of '와요'.
A: 우산이 있어요? B: 아니요, 없어요. 왜요? A: 밖을 보세요. 지금 _______.
The context of asking for an umbrella implies it is raining.
When would you say this?
'올 거예요' is the future tense.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but it sounds more formal or poetic. '비가 오다' is much more common in daily life.
It's just the Korean linguistic perspective. Nature 'comes' to us.
You can say '비가 오기 시작해요'.
It's only for close friends or people younger than you. Use '비 와요' for everyone else.
The formal version is '비가 옵니다'.
Say '비가 그쳤어요'.
It's the Korean monsoon season in summer when it rains for a long time.
Yes, but '보슬비가 와요' is more specific.
In writing, yes. In speaking, it's often dropped.
Say '저는 비를 좋아해요'.
Related Phrases
눈이 와요
similarIt's snowing
비가 내려요
synonymRain is falling
비를 맞다
builds onTo get hit by rain (get wet)
비가 그치다
contrastThe rain stops
소나기가 오다
specialized formA rain shower is coming
