Meaning
Indicates that snow is falling.
Cultural Background
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.'
Meaning
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.
Test Yourself
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
Visual Learning Aids
Snow Types
Practice Bank
4 exercises눈__ __요.
The subject marker '이' is used after the consonant-ending '눈', and the verb is '와요'.
어제...
'왔어요' is the past tense of '와요'.
A: 밖에 날씨가 어때요? B: ________.
When asked about the weather, '눈이 와요' is a logical response.
When would you say this?
'펑펑' is an onomatopoeia for heavy snowfall.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Related Phrases
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
