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天气预报

A2 noun 8 min read

天气预报

tianqiyubao

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 天气预报 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 天气预报 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to recognize 天气预报 (tiānqì yùbào) as a single unit meaning 'weather forecast.' You will mostly use it with the verb '看' (kàn - to watch/look). Imagine you are in a Chinese-speaking country and you want to know if you need an umbrella. You might ask a friend, '你看天气预报了吗？' (Did you watch the weather forecast?). At this stage, don't worry about the individual characters too much; just remember that '天气' is weather and '预报' is forecast. You will hear this word in basic weather lessons. It's a key word for survival Chinese because it helps you prepare for the day. You might also see it on the home screen of your phone if the language is set to Chinese. Practice saying it as two beats: 'tiān-qì' and 'yù-bào'. Most A1 learners can use it in short sentences like '天气预报说今天有雨' (The weather forecast says today there is rain). This helps you link the noun to a simple result.

At the A2 level, you should start using 天气预报 to plan activities. You should be able to understand simple weather reports that mention temperature (温度 - wēndù) and common conditions like '晴天' (sunny) or '阴天' (cloudy). You will use phrases like '根据天气预报' (according to the weather forecast) to explain why you are making certain decisions. For example: '根据天气预报，明天很冷，我们不去公园了' (According to the weather forecast, tomorrow is very cold, we aren't going to the park). You should also learn to ask about the accuracy of the forecast using '准不准' (zhǔn bù zhǔn). At this stage, you're not just identifying the word; you're using it as a reason for your actions. You might also encounter it in short reading passages about travel or daily routines. Focus on the connection between the forecast and the advice you give to others, which is a very common social interaction in Chinese culture.

By B1, you should be comfortable hearing 天气预报 in faster, more natural speech. You will encounter it in radio broadcasts or short news clips. You should understand that '预报' can be used in other contexts, like '预报员' (weather forecaster/announcer). You can now discuss the reliability of different sources, such as '电视上的天气预报' (the forecast on TV) vs '手机软件的天气预报' (the forecast on mobile apps). You'll start to use more complex verbs like '关注' (to follow/pay attention to) or '错过' (to miss). For example: '我错过了晚上的天气预报，不知道明天天气怎么样' (I missed the evening weather forecast, I don't know how the weather is tomorrow). You should also be able to understand specific meteorological terms that follow the word '预报,' such as '降水概率' (precipitation probability) or '风力等级' (wind force scale). This level requires you to move beyond simple 'rain/sun' and into the nuances of the report's content.

At the B2 level, you can use 天气预报 in discussions about technology and society. You might talk about how big data and satellites have improved the accuracy of the '天气预报.' You can use the word in more formal writing, such as an email to colleagues about rescheduling an event due to weather concerns. You should understand the difference between '天气预报' and '气象预报' and when to use each. You will also be able to understand metaphorical uses or jokes about the weather forecast, such as people saying a person's mood is like a '天气预报' (unpredictable). You can handle more complex sentence structures like '虽然天气预报说会下雨，但现在天还晴着' (Although the weather forecast said it would rain, it is still sunny now). Your vocabulary should expand to include synonyms like '气象报告' and related concepts like '预警信号' (warning signals).

At the C1 level, your understanding of 天气预报 should be near-native. You can understand the technical explanations of how a '天气预报' is produced, including mentions of '数值预报' (numerical weather prediction) and '气象卫星' (meteorological satellites). You can participate in debates about the impact of climate change on the reliability of traditional '天气预报' models. You should be able to follow fast-paced, professional weather segments on news channels like CCTV-13 without subtitles. You will also recognize the word in literature or high-level editorials where weather might be used as a symbol. You can use the word in formal presentations, perhaps discussing how '天气预报' affects agricultural output or energy consumption. Your grasp of the word includes its administrative context—knowing which government body (like the 中国气象局) is responsible for official '预报'.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 天气预报 and its cultural nuances. You understand the historical evolution of weather forecasting in China, from ancient methods to modern technology. You can discuss the nuances of how '天气预报' is phrased in different dialects or regions (e.g., Mainland China vs. Taiwan's '气象预报'). You can use the term in highly sophisticated contexts, such as analyzing the rhetoric used in government disaster-preparedness announcements. You might explore the philosophical implications of '预报' (predicting the future) and how the weather forecast serves as a metaphor in modern Chinese poetry or film. You can perfectly mimic the tone and register of a professional weather broadcaster. At this level, the word is not just a piece of vocabulary but a window into the intersection of Chinese science, media, and daily social fabric.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

天气预报 in 30 Seconds

A compound noun meaning 'weather forecast' (天气 + 预报).
Used with verbs like '看' (watch), '听' (listen), or '查' (check).
Essential for daily planning and small talk in Chinese culture.
Commonly seen on apps, TV news, and public display screens.

The term 天气预报 (tiānqì yùbào) is a compound noun in Chinese that directly translates to 'weather forecast.' It is composed of two distinct parts: 天气 (tiānqì), meaning 'weather,' and 预报 (yùbào), which means 'to forecast' or 'to predict and report.' In the context of daily life in China, this word is ubiquitous, appearing in morning conversations, news broadcasts, and mobile application interfaces. Unlike some English terms that can function as both nouns and verbs, 天气预报 is primarily used as a noun referring to the report itself or the service provided by meteorological departments. For example, when someone asks, 'Did you check the forecast?' they would say, '你看了天气预报吗？' (Nǐ kànle tiānqì yùbào ma?).

Linguistic Breakdown: The character '天' (tiān) means sky or day, while '气' (qì) refers to air, energy, or breath. Together, '天气' describes the state of the atmosphere. '预' (yù) means 'in advance' or 'pre-', and '报' (bào) means 'to report' or 'to announce.' Thus, it is literally an 'advance report of the sky's energy.'

今天的天气预报说下午会有大雨，所以别忘了带伞。(Today's weather forecast says there will be heavy rain this afternoon, so don't forget to bring an umbrella.)

In social contexts, discussing the 天气预报 is a safe and common icebreaker, much like in Western cultures. However, in China, it often carries a pragmatic weight; older generations especially pay close attention to it to advise family members on what to wear. If the 天气预报 indicates a temperature drop, it is culturally common to receive messages from friends or family saying '天气预报说降温了，多穿点' (The weather forecast says the temperature is dropping, wear more).

Grammatical Usage: It is most commonly paired with verbs like '看' (kàn - to watch/look), '听' (tīng - to listen), and '关注' (guānzhù - to pay attention to/follow). You don't 'make' a weather forecast in general conversation; the experts '发布' (fābù - issue) it.

我习惯在睡觉前查看明天的天气预报。(I am used to checking tomorrow's weather forecast before going to sleep.)

The reliability of the 天气预报 is often a topic of lighthearted complaint if it turns out to be wrong, using phrases like '天气预报又不准了' (The weather forecast is inaccurate again). Despite this, it remains the primary source of truth for planning outdoor activities, agricultural work, and travel logistics throughout the Chinese-speaking world.

Using 天气预报 (tiānqì yùbào) in a sentence is relatively straightforward because it functions as a standard noun. However, there are specific patterns that learners should master to sound natural. The most basic structure is [Subject] + [Verb] + 天气预报. Common verbs include 看 (to see/watch), 听 (to hear/listen), and 查 (to check/look up).

Structure 1: Observation: Subject + 看了/查了 + 天气预报. (Subject watched/checked the forecast.) Example: '我查了天气预报，明天是晴天。' (I checked the forecast, tomorrow is a sunny day.)

根据天气预报，台风将在今晚登陆。(According to the weather forecast, the typhoon will make landfall tonight.)

A very common way to introduce information from the forecast is using the preposition 根据 (gēnjù), which means 'according to.' This is used in both formal news reports and daily conversation to cite the source of your weather knowledge. Another useful pattern is [Time] 的天气预报, such as '晚上的天气预报' (The evening weather forecast) or '下周的天气预报' (Next week's weather forecast).

Structure 2: Source of Information: 天气预报 + 说/显示 + [Weather Condition]. (The weather forecast says/shows [Condition].) Example: '天气预报说周末会降温。' (The weather forecast says the temperature will drop this weekend.)

Note that in Chinese, we often use the verb 说 (shuō) (to say) even when referring to a written or digital forecast. This is a personification common in colloquial speech. If you are looking at an app, you might use 显示 (xiǎnshì) (to display/show).

你手机上的天气预报准吗？(Is the weather forecast on your phone accurate?)

In China, 天气预报 is not just a word; it is a daily ritual. You will hear it in various environments, each with its own level of formality. The most iconic setting is the television broadcast. Every evening after the national news program Xinwen Lianbo, a dedicated 天气预报 segment airs, covering major cities across China. The background music for this segment is so famous that most Chinese people can recognize it instantly.

In the Media: Broadcasters will use formal phrasing: '现在播报天气预报' (Now broadcasting the weather forecast). You will hear terms like '多云转晴' (cloudy turning clear) or '局部地区' (local areas).

播音员正在播报明天的天气预报。(The announcer is currently broadcasting tomorrow's weather forecast.)

In modern urban life, the phrase is most frequently heard in the context of smartphones and AI assistants. People will ask their phones, '嘿 Siri，明天的天气预报怎么样？' (Hey Siri, how is tomorrow's weather forecast?). Public transportation, such as buses and subways, often features screens that scroll the 天气预报 alongside news and advertisements. In these contexts, the word serves as a header for information about temperature, air quality (AQI), and precipitation.

You will also encounter this word in professional settings. Logistics managers, construction site supervisors, and tour guides will start their morning briefings by discussing the 天气预报 to ensure safety and efficiency. For instance, a tour guide might say, '根据昨晚的天气预报，我们今天的行程可能需要调整' (According to last night's weather forecast, our itinerary for today might need adjustment).

On the Radio: Drivers listening to traffic radio will hear frequent updates: '下面为您带来最新的天气预报' (Next, we bring you the latest weather forecast).

广播里说，根据最新的天气预报，大雾天气将持续到中午。(The radio said that according to the latest weather forecast, the foggy weather will last until noon.)

While 天气预报 is a relatively simple term, English speakers often make errors based on direct translation or confusion with similar-sounding Chinese words. One primary mistake is treating 'forecast' as a verb in the same way English does. In English, you can say 'The weather is forecasted to be cold.' In Chinese, you cannot say '天气被预报冷' (Tiānqì bèi yùbào lěng). Instead, you must use the noun form: '天气预报说天会冷' (The weather forecast says it will be cold).

Mistake 1: Verb vs. Noun Confusion: Learners often try to use '预报' as a standalone verb for general predictions. While '预报' can be a verb, it is strictly for formal announcements. For personal predictions, use '觉得' (feel/think) or '猜' (guess).

Incorrect: 我预报明天会下雨。(I forecast it will rain tomorrow - sounds like you are a professional meteorologist). Correct: 我猜明天会下雨。

Another frequent error is confusing 天气预报 with 天气预告 (tiānqì yùgào). While '预告' also means 'to announce in advance,' it is specifically used for trailers (like movie trailers) or upcoming events. Using '预告' for the weather sounds unnatural to native speakers.

Mistake 2: Preposition Misuse: In English, we say 'on the weather forecast.' In Chinese, we use '在天气预报里' (in the weather forecast) or '根据天气预报' (according to the weather forecast). Using '上' (on) is sometimes okay for '电视上' (on TV), but '在天气预报上' sounds slightly off.

他在天气预报里看到今天有大风。(He saw in the weather forecast that there would be strong winds today.)

Understanding 天气预报 requires knowing its place among related meteorological and predictive terms. While it is the most common phrase, several alternatives exist depending on the context and level of formality.

气象报告 (qìxiàng bàogào): This means 'meteorological report.' It is more formal and technical than '天气预报.' You might hear this in scientific contexts or very formal news broadcasts. While '天气' refers to daily weather, '气象' refers to the broader science of meteorology.
预警 (yùjǐng): This means 'early warning.' When the weather is dangerous (typhoons, blizzards, extreme heat), the '天气预报' will include a '预警.' For example, '高温预警' (high-temperature warning).

除了天气预报，我们还要关注气象台发布的灾害预警。(In addition to the weather forecast, we also need to pay attention to the disaster warnings issued by the meteorological station.)

In terms of the 'prediction' aspect, you might encounter 预测 (yùcè). While '预报' is for official announcements, '预测' is used for scientific or data-based predictions across many fields, including economics and sports. You wouldn't usually say '天气预测' in daily life, but a scientist might use it when discussing long-term climate models.

Word Comparison Table

天气预报: General, daily use. Focus on rain/sun/temp.
气象预报: Technical, professional. Focus on atmospheric pressure/patterns.
天气预警: Safety-focused. Focus on danger/emergencies.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The 'Xinwen Lianbo' weather forecast music, titled 'Fisherman's Song at Eventide' (渔舟唱晚), is one of the most recognized melodies in China, yet many people don't know its name.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tjɛn tɕʰi y paʊ/

US /tjɛn tʃi u baʊ/

Primary stress is on the first syllable 'Tiān' and the third syllable 'Yù'.

Rhymes With

天 (tiān) rhymes with: 烟 (yān), 边 (biān), 先 (xiān) 报 (bào) rhymes with: 到 (dào), 考 (kǎo), 笑 (xiào) 气 (qì) rhymes with: 地 (dì), 细 (xì), 意 (yì) 预 (yù) rhymes with: 去 (qù), 绿 (lǜ), 聚 (jù)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'qi' as 'ki'. It should be a soft 'ch' sound with the tongue behind lower teeth.
Misplacing the tones. 'Tiān' must stay high and flat.
Pronouncing 'yù' like 'you'. It should be a rounded 'u' (like French 'u' or German 'ü').
Confusing 'bào' with 'pào'. 'B' is unaspirated in Chinese.
Failing to make 'qì', 'yù', and 'bào' all distinct falling tones.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The characters are common but '预' and '报' require some practice for beginners.

Writing 3/5

Writing '预' (yù) can be tricky due to the stroke order and complexity.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is simple if you master the falling tones of the last three syllables.

Listening 1/5

Very easy to recognize in news or apps due to context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

天 (Sky/Day) 气 (Air/Energy) 天气 (Weather) 说 (To say) 看 (To look/watch)

Learn Next

气温 (Temperature) 下雨 (To rain) 晴天 (Sunny day) 阴天 (Cloudy day) 根据 (According to)

Advanced

气象学 (Meteorology) 降水概率 (Precipitation probability) 气压 (Atmospheric pressure) 对流 (Convection) 厄尔尼诺现象 (El Niño phenomenon)

Grammar to Know

Using '根据' (gēnjù) to cite sources.

根据天气预报，明天是晴天。

Personification with '说' (shuō).

天气预报说今天会下雪。

Using '准' (zhǔn) as an adjective for accuracy.

这则预报很不准。

Time words as modifiers.

晚上的天气预报。

The '不仅...还...' structure for extra information.

天气预报不仅有气温，还有风力。

Examples by Level

我看天气预报。

I watch the weather forecast.

Subject + Verb + Object.

天气预报说今天有雨。

The weather forecast says it will rain today.

The forecast is the 'speaker' in this common personification.

明天的天气预报准吗？

Is tomorrow's weather forecast accurate?

Using '准' (zhǔn) for accuracy.

我不喜欢看天气预报。

I don't like watching the weather forecast.

Negative '不' before the verb.

这是北京的天气预报。

This is the weather forecast for Beijing.

Possessive '的' is implied or can be added: 北京的天气预报.

他在听天气预报。

He is listening to the weather forecast.

Present continuous action with '在'.

你有天气预报吗？

Do you have the weather forecast?

Simple possession question.

天气预报很有用。

The weather forecast is very useful.

Adjective '有用' (yǒuyòng) describing the noun.

根据天气预报，明天会降温。

According to the weather forecast, the temperature will drop tomorrow.

Using '根据' (gēnjù) as 'according to'.

出门前，先看一下天气预报。

Before going out, check the weather forecast first.

Using '先...再...' structure (implied).

天气预报说周末是晴天。

The weather forecast says the weekend will be sunny.

Focus on time nouns (周末).

我不相信手机上的天气预报。

I don't believe the weather forecast on the phone.

Using '相信' (xiāngxìn) to believe.

天气预报不准，我还是带把伞吧。

The weather forecast isn't accurate, I'll bring an umbrella anyway.

Using '还是' to show a decided alternative.

你可以在网上查天气预报。

You can check the weather forecast online.

Using '在网上' as a location/method.

晚上的天气预报几点开始？

What time does the evening weather forecast start?

Asking for specific time.

因为天气预报说有大风，所以比赛取消了。

Because the weather forecast said there would be strong winds, the match was canceled.

Because... therefore... structure.

天气预报显示，未来三天都会下雪。

The weather forecast shows that it will snow for the next three days.

Using '显示' (xiǎnshì) for digital reports.

如果你经常出差，就需要关注当地的天气预报。

If you often go on business trips, you need to follow the local weather forecast.

Conditional '如果...就...' structure.

由于天气预报不准确，很多旅客被困在了机场。

Due to the inaccurate weather forecast, many travelers were stranded at the airport.

Formal '由于' (yóuyú) meaning 'due to'.

现在的天气预报比以前准确多了。

Current weather forecasts are much more accurate than before.

Comparison structure 'A 比 B + Adj + 多了'.

我每天早上都要听广播里的天气预报。

I listen to the weather forecast on the radio every morning.

Using '都要' to indicate a habitual requirement.

尽管天气预报说没雨，我还是带了雨衣。

Even though the weather forecast said no rain, I still brought a raincoat.

Concession structure '尽管...还是...'.

天气预报里提到的台风已经转向了。

The typhoon mentioned in the weather forecast has already changed direction.

Relative clause with '提到的'.

这则天气预报是针对整个华东地区的。

This weather forecast is specifically for the entire East China region.

Using '针对' (zhēnduì) to mean 'targeted at'.

随着科技的发展，天气预报的准确率大大提高了。

With the development of technology, the accuracy of weather forecasts has greatly improved.

Using '随着' (suízhe) to show simultaneous change.

天气预报不仅提供气温信息，还提供空气质量指数。

The weather forecast not only provides temperature information but also air quality index.

Correlative conjunction '不仅...还...'.

很多人质疑这则天气预报的可靠性。

Many people question the reliability of this weather forecast.

Using '质疑' (zhìyí) as a formal verb for 'to question'.

除非天气预报说有极端天气，否则活动照常进行。

Unless the weather forecast says there is extreme weather, the event will proceed as planned.

Structure '除非...否则...' (Unless... otherwise...).

气象台发布的最新天气预报引起了市民的关注。

The latest weather forecast issued by the meteorological station has attracted the attention of citizens.

Noun phrase with multiple modifiers.

他根据天气预报的建议，提前做好了防寒措施。

Based on the suggestions of the weather forecast, he took precautions against the cold in advance.

Using '防寒措施' (cold-prevention measures).

天气预报的误差有时会导致严重的经济损失。

Errors in the weather forecast can sometimes lead to serious economic losses.

Using '导致' (dǎozhì) for negative results.

我们要养成每天查看天气预报的好习惯。

We should develop the good habit of checking the weather forecast every day.

Structure '养成...习惯' (Develop a habit).

该地区的天气预报受地形影响，往往难以精确预测。

The weather forecast for this region is influenced by the terrain and is often difficult to predict precisely.

Formal structure '受...影响' (Influenced by...).

数值天气预报模型需要庞大的运算能力支撑。

Numerical weather prediction models require massive computing power for support.

Technical terminology '数值天气预报'.

尽管天气预报技术突飞猛进，但大自然依然充满变数。

Despite the rapid progress in weather forecasting technology, nature remains full of variables.

Idiom '突飞猛进' (making rapid progress).

天气预报的播报方式多年来经历了不少变化。

The way weather forecasts are broadcast has undergone many changes over the years.

Using '经历' (jīnglì) for historical changes.

气象学家们正致力于提高长期天气预报的精准度。

Meteorologists are working hard to improve the precision of long-term weather forecasts.

Using '致力于' (zhìlì yú) meaning 'dedicated to'.

这则天气预报中提到的‘局部地区’通常指范围较小的区域。

The 'local areas' mentioned in this weather forecast usually refer to relatively small zones.

Explaining specific terminology.

由于缺乏实时数据，偏远地区的天气预报往往存在偏差。

Due to the lack of real-time data, weather forecasts for remote areas often have deviations.

Using '偏差' (piānchā) for systematic error/deviation.

天气预报对于航空安全而言是至关重要的参考依据。

The weather forecast is a vital reference for aviation safety.

Structure '对于...而言' (As far as ... is concerned).

天气预报的准确性不仅是科学命题，更是关乎民生的社会责任。

The accuracy of weather forecasts is not only a scientific proposition but also a social responsibility concerning people's livelihoods.

Complex philosophical/social statement.

在信息爆炸的时代，如何筛选权威的天气预报显得尤为重要。

In the era of information explosion, how to filter authoritative weather forecasts has become particularly important.

Using '尤为' (yóuwéi) as a formal 'especially'.

天气预报的演变史见证了人类试图洞悉自然规律的漫长历程。

The history of weather forecasting evolution witnesses the long journey of humans trying to understand the laws of nature.

Using '见证' (jiànzhèng) as 'to witness'.

即便是在超级计算机的辅助下，天气预报依然无法做到百分之百的精确。

Even with the assistance of supercomputers, weather forecasts still cannot achieve 100% precision.

Concession '即便...依然...'.

公众对天气预报的调侃，折射出人们对确定性的渴望与无奈。

The public's banter about the weather forecast reflects people's desire for certainty and their helplessness.

Abstract noun '调侃' (banter/mockery) and '折射' (reflect).

天气预报不再仅仅是冷冰冰的数据，而是融入了更多的人文关怀。

The weather forecast is no longer just cold data, but has integrated more humanistic care.

Using '不再仅仅是...而是...'.

我们需要从多维度的角度去解读天气预报所传达的复杂信息。

We need to interpret the complex information conveyed by the weather forecast from a multi-dimensional perspective.

Using '多维度' (multi-dimensional).

天气预报的社会功能正随着城市化进程的加快而日益凸显。

The social function of weather forecasting is becoming increasingly prominent with the acceleration of urbanization.

Using '日益凸显' (becoming increasingly prominent).

Common Collocations

看天气预报

听天气预报

播报天气预报

天气预报准确

天气预报不准

根据天气预报

查看天气预报

关注天气预报

错过天气预报

长期天气预报

Common Phrases

天气预报员

— A weather forecaster or presenter. This person delivers the weather news on TV or radio.

他梦想成为一名天气预报员。

天气预报节目

— A weather forecast program. Specifically the segment on TV dedicated to weather.

这个天气预报节目很受欢迎。

天气预报软件

— A weather forecast app. Software installed on smartphones to check the weather.

你手机里安装了什么天气预报软件？

本地天气预报

— Local weather forecast. The forecast specifically for your current city or area.

请告诉我北京的本地天气预报。

Often Confused With

天气预报 vs 天气预告

English speakers might use '预告' (trailer/announcement) by mistake. Stick to '预报' for weather.

天气预报 vs 气候

Refers to long-term climate, not the daily forecast.

天气预报 vs 气象

Refers to the scientific phenomena rather than the specific daily report.

Idioms & Expressions

"天有不测风云"

— The sky has unpredicted winds and clouds. It means that anything can happen unexpectedly, often referring to misfortune.

天有不测风云，我们要做好准备。

Literary/Common

"未雨绸缪"

— Repair the house before it rains. To take precautions before trouble arrives.

看到天气预报说有暴雨，他未雨绸缪，修好了屋顶。

Formal

"风云变幻"

— Constantly changing winds and clouds. Refers to a rapidly changing and unpredictable situation.

国际局势风云变幻，就像天气预报一样难以捉摸。

Formal

"拨云见日"

— Push aside the clouds to see the sun. To clear up a misunderstanding or to see a bright future after a struggle.

听了专家的天气预报分析，我终于拨云见日，明白了降雨的原因。

Literary

"风调雨顺"

— Favorable wind and rain. Refers to perfect weather for crops and a prosperous year.

希望天气预报能带来风调雨顺的好消息。

Traditional

"满城风雨"

— Wind and rain all over the city. Refers to a big scandal or news that everyone is talking about.

这个消息像昨天的天气预报一样，闹得满城风雨。

Colloquial

"朝云暮雨"

— Morning clouds and evening rain. Refers to short-lived romance or rapidly changing weather/situations.

这里的气候真是朝云暮雨，天气预报都跟不上。

Literary

"雨过天晴"

— The sun shines after the rain. Things getting better after a difficult period.

天气预报说明天会雨过天晴。

Common

"春风化雨"

— Spring breeze and life-giving rain. Refers to a teacher's beneficial influence.

老师的教导如同春风化雨，比天气预报还要温暖。

Literary

"狂风暴雨"

— Fierce wind and heavy rain. A violent storm.

天气预报警告今晚会有狂风暴雨。

Common

Easily Confused

天气预报 vs 预告

Both mean 'advance announcement'.

'预报' is for weather or scientific predictions; '预告' is for movies, events, or shows.

电影预告 (Movie trailer) vs 天气预报 (Weather forecast).

天气预报 vs 预测

Both mean 'predict'.

'预测' is a general verb/noun for any prediction; '预报' is the specific term for an official weather report.

预测未来 (Predict the future) vs 听天气预报 (Listen to the weather forecast).

天气预报 vs 报告

Both involve 'reporting'.

'报告' is a general report (work, study); '预报' is specifically a forecast.

工作报告 (Work report) vs 气象预报 (Meteorological forecast).

天气预报 vs 提醒

Weather forecasts often serve as reminders.

'提醒' is a verb meaning 'to remind'; '天气预报' is the noun providing the info.

天气预报提醒我们要带伞。

天气预报 vs 预见

Both involve 'seeing' the future.

'预见' is more about foresight or vision; '预报' is data-based reporting.

预见困难 (Foresee difficulties) vs 天气预报。

Sentence Patterns

我看天气预报。

天气预报说[Condition]。

天气预报说有雨。

根据天气预报，[Result]。

根据天气预报，明天会降温。

虽然天气预报说...但是...。

虽然天气预报说有雨，但是天还没阴。

由于天气预报的偏差，[Consequence]。

由于天气预报的偏差，农民遭受了损失。

[Subject]折射出公众对天气预报的[Emotion]。

这折射出公众对天气预报的信任。

All

[Time]的天气预报。

昨天的天气预报。

All

[Location]的天气预报。

上海的天气预报。

Word Family

Nouns

天气 (Weather)

预报员 (Forecaster)

气象台 (Meteorological station)

气温 (Temperature)

Verbs

预报 (To forecast)

预测 (To predict)

播报 (To broadcast)

显示 (To show/display)

Adjectives

准确 (Accurate)

模糊 (Vague/Unclear)

多变 (Changeable)

恶劣 (Severe/Bad)

气候 (Climate)

降雨 (Rainfall)

云层 (Cloud layer)

风向 (Wind direction)

湿度 (Humidity)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely common in daily life, news, and digital media.

Common Mistakes

我预报明天会下雨。 → 我猜明天会下雨 / 天气预报说明天会下雨。
You shouldn't use '预报' as a personal verb unless you are a professional forecaster.
天气预报是错的。 → 天气预报不准。
While '错' is grammatically okay, '不准' (not accurate) is the standard way to describe a wrong forecast.
看天气预告。 → 看天气预报。
'预告' is for trailers/events. '预报' is for weather.
在天气预报上说... → 根据天气预报 / 天气预报里说...
Using '上' (on) is a direct translation from English. Use '根据' (according to) or '里' (in).
天气预报预测了台风。 → 天气预报播报了台风。
Using '预测' and '预报' together is redundant. Use '播报' (broadcast) or just '说'.

Tips

Use '根据' (According to)

Always use '根据' when you want to cite the weather forecast as your reason for something. It makes you sound much more fluent.

Learn '准' (Accurate)

The adjective '准' is the best way to describe a forecast. If a friend tells you it will rain and it does, you can say '你预报得很准！'

Small Talk Essential

Mentioning the '天气预报' is the safest way to start a conversation with a stranger or an elder in China.

Identify the Music

Search for '渔舟唱晚' on YouTube. Once you know this tune, you will always know when a weather forecast is starting on Chinese TV.

Stroke Order of '预'

The character '预' has a '予' on the left and a '页' on the right. Practice these two components separately first.

Falling Tones

The sequence 'qì yù bào' is three falling tones in a row. It sounds like a forceful descent. Practice saying them together to get the flow right.

Set Phone to Chinese

If you set your phone to Chinese, the weather widget will display '天气预报'. This is constant passive learning.

Look for '预警'

In a '天气预报', if you see red or orange characters, it's likely a '预警' (warning). Pay close attention to those.

Forecast vs. Reality

Native speakers often say '预报说...' even if they read it on an app. It's a very common way to report information.

Compound Logic

Remember: Sky + Energy + Pre + Report. If you forget the word, try to rebuild it with these four concepts.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a **Tian** (Sky) that has **Qi** (Energy/Air). You need a **Yu** (Pre/Advance) **Bao** (Report) to know what that energy will do tomorrow.

Visual Association

Picture a TV screen with a sun icon and the Chinese characters 天气预报 at the bottom. The '天' looks like a person with arms open to the sky.

Word Web

Rain (雨) Sun (晴) Snow (雪) Temperature (气温) Forecast (预报) Weather (天气) App (软件) TV (电视)

Challenge

Try to find the weather forecast for your city in Chinese on a site like Baidu or weather.com.cn and identify three different weather icons.

Word Origin

Modern Chinese compound noun. '天气' has ancient roots referring to the spirit or breath of the heavens. '预报' was popularized in the 20th century with the advent of formal meteorological services.

Original meaning: Advance announcement of atmospheric conditions.

Sino-Tibetan (Sinitic).

Cultural Context

Be aware that air quality (AQI) is often included in Chinese weather forecasts; discussing pollution can sometimes be a sensitive topic in formal contexts.

In English-speaking countries, weather talk is often seen as filler. In China, it is often a pragmatic form of care, especially between generations.

CCTV-1 Weather Forecast (The most-watched weather show in the world). Fisherman's Song at Eventide (The iconic background music). Moji Weather (A popular Chinese weather app).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Morning Routine

查天气预报
今天天气怎么样
要带伞吗
多穿衣服

Travel Planning

看目的地的天气预报
行程受天气影响
天气转好
航班延误

Watching News

播报天气预报
收看节目
气象台发布
局部地区

Social Small Talk

天气预报准吗
听说要降温了
变天了
好天气

Agriculture/Work

关注天气预报
防灾减灾
降雨量
节气

Conversation Starters

"你今天看天气预报了吗？明天好像有大雨。"

"你觉得哪个手机软件的天气预报最准？"

"根据天气预报，周末非常适合去郊游。"

"天气预报说下周会降温，你记得多穿点衣服。"

"刚才电视上的天气预报说台风快到了，我们要准备一下。"

Journal Prompts

今天的天气预报准吗？描述一下实际天气和预报的区别。

如果你是一名天气预报员，你会如何向大家播报明天的天气？

谈谈你最常用的一种查看天气预报的方式（APP、电视或广播）。

描述一次因为天气预报不准而导致计划失败的经历。

在你的国家，人们对天气预报的关注程度如何？和中国有什么不同？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

You can say '看天气预报' (kàn tiānqì yùbào) or '查天气预报' (chá tiānqì yùbào). '查' is more common when using an app or searching online.

It is primarily a noun meaning 'weather forecast.' While '预报' can act as a verb, in daily life, you use the full phrase as a noun.

The most natural way is to say '天气预报不准' (tiānqì yùbào bù zhǔn). Using '错' (cuò) sounds less natural.

'天气' is the everyday word for weather. '气象' is the more scientific term for meteorology.

Yes, if you are specifying a time or place, like '北京的天气预报'. However, in casual speech, the '的' is often omitted.

You can ask, '天气预报怎么说？' (What does the weather forecast say?) or '明天的天气预报怎么样？'

Not a direct one, but people sometimes jokingly call it '玄学' (metaphysics) if it's consistently wrong.

The official source is the '中国气象局' (China Meteorological Administration).

Yes, it's used for other official forecasts like '地震预报' (earthquake forecast) or '海浪预报' (wave forecast).

Yes, it remains highly influential, though younger people increasingly rely on mobile apps.