Meaning
Describes precipitation in the form of water drops.
Cultural Background
Rainy days are synonymous with 'Pajeon' and 'Makgeolli'. Many restaurants see a huge spike in sales when it rains. Rain often symbolizes a cleansing of the past or a moment of deep reflection in Korean poetry. In Seoul, rain means heavy traffic. People often use '비가 내려서 차가 막혀요' (The road is blocked because it's raining) as a common excuse for being late. There is a specific genre of 'Rainy Day Songs' that trend on music charts whenever it rains in Korea.
Sound like a native
Use '비가 내리네' when you notice it starting to rain. The '-네' ending expresses surprise or realization.
Subject Marker
Don't forget the '-가'. While '비 내려' is okay in slang, '비가 내려' is the proper form.
Meaning
Describes precipitation in the form of water drops.
Sound like a native
Use '비가 내리네' when you notice it starting to rain. The '-네' ending expresses surprise or realization.
Subject Marker
Don't forget the '-가'. While '비 내려' is okay in slang, '비가 내려' is the proper form.
Rainy Day Food
If it rains while you are with Korean friends, suggest '파전에 막걸리' to instantly bond with them.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '비가 내리다'.
어제는 하루 종일 (____).
The sentence starts with '어제' (yesterday), so the past tense is required.
Which sentence is most appropriate for a weather forecast?
Choose the best option:
'내리겠습니다' is the formal future tense used in broadcasts.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 밖에 비가 많이 내려요? B: 아니요, 지금은 (____).
Both '안 내려요' and '안 와요' are correct ways to say it's not raining.
Match the adverb to the type of rain.
Match '추적추적' with its meaning.
'추적추적' describes a steady, often depressing rain.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
오다 vs 내리다
Practice Bank
4 exercises어제는 하루 종일 (____).
The sentence starts with '어제' (yesterday), so the past tense is required.
Choose the best option:
'내리겠습니다' is the formal future tense used in broadcasts.
A: 밖에 비가 많이 내려요? B: 아니요, 지금은 (____).
Both '안 내려요' and '안 와요' are correct ways to say it's not raining.
Match '추적추적' with its meaning.
'추적추적' describes a steady, often depressing rain.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions비가 오다 is colloquial and common. 비가 내리다 is more formal, descriptive, and literary.
No, for wind use 불다 (bulda).
You can say '비가 쏟아져요' (bi-ga ssodajyeoyo).
Yes, '눈이 내리다' is very common.
It's shorter and 'coming' is a simpler concept in daily life than 'descending'.
The word '비' itself is native, but the Hanja {우|雨} represents the concept.
비가 그쳤어요 (bi-ga geuchyeosseoyo).
Yes, it means 'Rain falls from the sky' and sounds quite poetic.
It means 'like rain' and is used to describe things falling in large amounts.
Usually '비가' for a general statement. Use '비는' if you are contrasting it (e.g., 'The rain is falling, but the wind isn't blowing').
Related Phrases
비가 오다
similarRain comes (It rains)
눈이 내리다
similarSnow falls
소나기가 쏟아지다
specialized formA shower pours down
비에 젖다
builds onTo get wet in the rain
비가 그치다
contrastThe rain stops
