In 15 Seconds
- Means 'partly cloudy' or 'many clouds' in the sky.
- Used as a simple adjective to describe the daily weather.
- Perfect for small talk, planning outings, or reading weather apps.
Meaning
This is how you describe a day when the sun is playing hide-and-seek behind the clouds. It literally means there are 'many clouds' in the sky.
Key Examples
3 of 6Checking the weather for a hike
今天多云，不太热。
It's cloudy today, not too hot.
A weather reporter on TV
明天北京多云转晴。
Tomorrow in Beijing, it will be cloudy then turn sunny.
Texting a friend about a meeting
外面多云，你带外套了吗？
It's cloudy outside, did you bring a jacket?
Cultural Background
Weather talk is a deeply rooted social lubricant in Chinese culture, often serving as a polite way to show concern for someone's well-being. While modern and scientific, the term 'duōyún' is part of a standard vocabulary that replaced more poetic ancient descriptions of the sky. It is one of the first terms children learn when observing nature.
Drop the 'is'
In Chinese, you don't need the word 'is' (shì) before 'duōyún'. Just say 'Jīntiān duōyún' (Today cloudy).
The Caretaker's Weather
If someone tells you it's `多云`, they are often subtly suggesting you dress in layers. It's a hidden 'stay healthy' message!
In 15 Seconds
- Means 'partly cloudy' or 'many clouds' in the sky.
- Used as a simple adjective to describe the daily weather.
- Perfect for small talk, planning outings, or reading weather apps.
What It Means
多云 is your go-to weather term for a classic grey-ish day. It is not quite a storm, but not a clear blue sky either. Think of it as the 'moderate' setting for the sky. In English, we often say 'partly cloudy.' In Chinese, you are simply stating that the clouds are the main characters today.
How To Use It
Using it is incredibly simple. You can just say 今天多云 (Today is cloudy). You do not need fancy verbs or complex grammar. It functions like an adjective. If you are checking your phone and seeing the little cloud icon, this is the word you will see next to it. It is efficient and gets the job point across instantly.
When To Use It
Use it during your morning small talk. Use it when planning a picnic with friends. It is perfect for those 'should I bring an umbrella?' moments. If you see patches of blue but mostly white fluff, 多云 is your best friend. It is also the standard term used in professional weather reports on TV.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use 多云 if the sky is completely dark and heavy. That is 阴天 (overcast). Also, do not use it if it is actually raining. 多云 implies the clouds are just hanging out, not crying yet. If the sun is out with zero clouds, avoid this and use 晴天 (sunny day) instead.
Cultural Background
In China, weather talk is the ultimate icebreaker. It is safe, polite, and universal. Older generations might use weather to transition into health advice. If you say it is 多云, they might tell you to bring a jacket just in case. It is a bridge to more personal conversations in a culture that values subtle openings.
Common Variations
Sometimes you will hear 多云转晴 (cloudy turning sunny). This is a favorite for optimists! You might also hear 局部多云, which means 'partly cloudy in certain areas.' If you want to sound more casual with friends, you can just point at the sky and say 云好大 (the clouds are so big), but 多云 remains the gold standard.
Usage Notes
This phrase is highly versatile and works in almost any social setting. It is grammatically simple—usually following a time or location word without needing a linking verb.
Drop the 'is'
In Chinese, you don't need the word 'is' (shì) before 'duōyún'. Just say 'Jīntiān duōyún' (Today cloudy).
The Caretaker's Weather
If someone tells you it's `多云`, they are often subtly suggesting you dress in layers. It's a hidden 'stay healthy' message!
Don't confuse with 'Yīntiān'
Use `多云` when you can still see bits of sky. Use `阴天` (yīntiān) when the whole sky is a flat, depressing grey.
Examples
6今天多云，不太热。
It's cloudy today, not too hot.
A practical observation for outdoor planning.
明天北京多云转晴。
Tomorrow in Beijing, it will be cloudy then turn sunny.
Standard professional weather forecasting format.
外面多云，你带外套了吗？
It's cloudy outside, did you bring a jacket?
Shows care and concern through weather talk.
哎呀，多云天拍照片不好看。
Oh man, cloudy days aren't good for taking photos.
Using weather to explain a minor disappointment.
妈妈，你看，天空多云！
Mom, look, the sky is so cloudy!
Simple observation of nature.
那是一个多云的下午，他离开了。
It was a cloudy afternoon when he left.
Using weather to reflect a slightly sad atmosphere.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word to describe a sky with many clouds.
今天天气很好，但是___。
Since the sentence says the weather is 'good but...', 'cloudy' is the most logical fit compared to rain or snow.
Complete the weather forecast.
上海明天：___转晴。
'多云转晴' is a standard weather phrase meaning 'cloudy turning sunny'.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of '多云'
Used with friends while walking.
今天多云。
Standard daily conversation.
天气预报说多云。
Official weather broadcasts.
本市今日多云。
When to say '多云'
Morning Small Talk
Looks like it's cloudy today.
Planning a Picnic
It's just cloudy, no rain.
Photography
The light is soft because it's cloudy.
Checking Apps
The app says 'Duoyun'.
Practice Bank
2 exercises今天天气很好，但是___。
Since the sentence says the weather is 'good but...', 'cloudy' is the most logical fit compared to rain or snow.
上海明天：___转晴。
'多云转晴' is a standard weather phrase meaning 'cloudy turning sunny'.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot necessarily. It just means there are many clouds. If rain is coming, people usually say 要下雨了.
Yes, it's a neutral term. It's perfectly fine for professional small talk before a meeting starts.
It acts like an adjective in sentences like 天气多云 (The weather is cloudy).
多云 has some sun peeking through, while 阴天 is a completely overcast, grey sky.
You can say 云很多 (yún hěn duō) or 乌云密布 (wūyún mìbù) if it's very dark and thick.
Yes, especially when coordinating outdoor plans. E.g., 今天多云，去公园吗？
You can say 多云的天气 (cloudy weather), but in a simple sentence like 今天多云, you don't need de.
Not really. Weather terms tend to stay quite literal and standard across China.
It's not common. For a 'cloudy' mood, people usually use 心情不好 or 郁闷.
You can say 少云 (shǎoyún), which means 'few clouds,' but 多云 is much more common in daily speech.
Related Phrases
阴天
Overcast / Gloomy day
晴天
Sunny day
转晴
Turning sunny
乌云
Dark clouds / Rain clouds
