阴天 em 30 segundos
- 阴天 (yīntiān) means an overcast or cloudy day where the sun is hidden by clouds.
- It is a noun, often used in the sentence structure '今天是阴天' (Today is a cloudy day).
- It is the opposite of 晴天 (qíngtiān - sunny day) and different from 多云 (duōyún - partly cloudy).
- Culturally, it can represent a somber mood or provide a cool, comfortable environment for activities.
The term 阴天 (yīntiān) is a cornerstone of Chinese weather vocabulary, fundamental to anyone beginning their journey in the Mandarin language. At its most basic level, it translates to an 'overcast' or 'cloudy' day. However, to truly understand its usage, one must look at the individual characters. The character 阴 (yīn) is the same 'Yin' found in the famous Yin and Yang philosophy. Historically, it represented the shaded side of a mountain or the northern bank of a river—places where the sun does not reach. Consequently, it carries connotations of darkness, cold, and moisture. The second character, 天 (tiān), means 'sky' or 'day.' Together, they describe a sky that is obscured by clouds, lacking the direct brightness of the sun.
- Meteorological Context
- In a meteorological sense, 阴天 refers to a sky coverage of 80% to 100% clouds. It is distinct from '多云' (duōyún), which means 'partly cloudy' where the sun might still peek through. When a Chinese person says it is a 阴天, they are describing a flat, gray, and uniform sky.
虽然今天是阴天，但并不冷。 (Although today is an overcast day, it is not cold.)
People use this word daily in small talk. In Chinese culture, commenting on the weather is a polite way to fill silence or start a conversation, much like in English-speaking cultures. If you are standing at a bus stop and the sky is gray, turning to the person next to you and saying '又是阴天' (Another overcast day) is a perfectly natural social lubricant. It is also a vital term for travel planning. If you are visiting the Great Wall, a 阴天 might be preferable to a scorching sunny day because it provides natural shade, though your photos might lack the vibrant blue sky of a '晴天' (qíngtiān).
- Emotional Resonance
- Beyond the weather, 阴天 often appears in literature and Mandopop lyrics to symbolize a somber or melancholic mood. Because the sun is hidden, it reflects a state of hidden emotions or a lack of clarity in one's life. It is the atmospheric equivalent of a sigh.
他的心情就像这阴天一样沉重。 (His mood is as heavy as this overcast day.)
In summary, 阴天 is more than just a weather report; it is a bridge between the physical world and the internal emotional landscape of the speaker. It is one of the first ten weather words any student should master because it appears in almost every weather forecast and daily greeting. Understanding the 'Yin' in 阴天 also gives you a head start on understanding Chinese philosophical concepts regarding balance and the nature of light and shadow.
Using 阴天 (yīntiān) correctly requires understanding its role as a noun. In Chinese grammar, weather conditions often function as nouns that follow the verb '是' (shì - to be) or stand alone in descriptive phrases. Unlike English, where we say 'It is cloudy' (adjective), Chinese speakers often say 'Today is a cloudy day' (noun). This distinction is subtle but important for achieving a natural-sounding rhythm in your speech.
- Basic Identification
- The most common structure is [Time] + 是 + 阴天. For example, '明天是阴天' (Tomorrow is a cloudy day). You can also omit the '是' in informal speech: '今天阴天' (Today [is] cloudy). This abbreviated version is extremely common in spoken Mandarin.
北京的春天经常是阴天。 (Spring in Beijing is often overcast.)
When you want to describe the transition into cloudy weather, you use the verb '转' (zhuǎn - to turn/change). In weather forecasts, you will frequently hear '晴转阴' (qíng zhuǎn yīn), which means 'sunny turning to cloudy.' This is a professional and concise way to describe the shifting atmosphere. If you are watching the sky change in real-time, you might say '天阴了' (tiān yīn le), meaning 'the sky has become dark/cloudy.' Here, '阴' is used as a stative verb or adjective, and the '了' indicates a change of state.
- Comparative Usage
- When comparing weather types, 阴天 is the midpoint between '晴天' (sunny) and '雨天' (rainy). You can use '比起' (bǐqǐ - compared to) to express preferences: '比起阴天，我更喜欢晴天' (Compared to overcast days, I prefer sunny days).
这种阴天最适合在家里睡觉。 (This kind of overcast day is most suitable for sleeping at home.)
Furthermore, 阴天 can be modified by degree adverbs, but usually, we modify the '阴' part. For instance, '阴得很厉害' (yīn de hěn lìhai) means it is extremely overcast. In more advanced writing, you might see '阴云密布' (yīnyún mìbù), an idiom meaning 'dense clouds cover the sky,' which is a more poetic way of describing a 阴天. Whether you are writing a simple diary entry or a formal report, knowing how to slot 阴天 into these varied structures will make your Chinese sound more sophisticated and accurate.
The word 阴天 (yīntiān) is ubiquitous in Chinese life, and you will encounter it in several distinct environments. The most obvious place is the daily weather forecast on television or apps like WeChat and Moji Weather. In these contexts, the word is often paired with temperatures and wind speeds. A typical broadcast might say: '明天白天阴天，间有小雨' (Tomorrow daytime will be overcast, with occasional light rain). Hearing it in this professional, rhythmic tone helps learners identify the flat tones of the word.
- In Modern Media
- Mandopop is another rich source. There is a very famous song by Karen Mok titled '阴天' (Overcast). The lyrics use the weather as a metaphor for the gray areas and uncertainties in a romantic relationship. Hearing the word sung with emotional weight helps students associate the term with more than just meteorology—it links it to feelings of loneliness or introspection.
歌里唱道：“阴天，在不开灯的房间...” (The song goes: 'Overcast day, in a room without the lights on...')
In the workplace, you might hear 阴天 when colleagues are planning outdoor team-building events or lunch outings. If someone suggests eating outside, a colleague might point to the sky and say, '快要阴天了，我们还是在室内吃吧' (It's about to get overcast; let's eat indoors instead). In southern China, during the 'Meiyu' or Plum Rain season, the word 阴天 becomes a constant part of the vocabulary as the sky remains gray for weeks on end. People might complain, '又是阴天，衣服都晒不干' (Another cloudy day, the clothes won't dry).
- Public Announcements
- On high-speed trains or at airports, weather updates for the destination city are often announced. You might hear: '目的地上海，天气阴' (Destination Shanghai, weather: overcast). Notice how they often drop the '天' in formal announcements to be more concise.
广播说：未来三天将持续阴天。 (The broadcast said: It will continue to be overcast for the next three days.)
Finally, in literature and film, 阴天 is used to set the 'mo' (atmosphere). A movie scene beginning with a shot of a 阴天 sky usually signals that something serious or tragic is about to happen. By paying attention to these contexts—from the clinical weather report to the emotional pop song—you gain a 360-degree understanding of how 阴天 functions in the real world, far beyond the pages of a textbook.
While 阴天 (yīntiān) is an A1-level word, many learners make persistent errors in its application. The most common mistake is confusing '阴天' (overcast day) with '云' (yún - cloud). A student might try to say 'There are many 阴天 in the sky,' which is incorrect. You should say '天上有很多云' (There are many clouds in the sky). Remember: 阴天 is the *state* of the weather, while 云 is the *object* in the sky.
- Adjective vs. Noun Confusion
- In English, 'cloudy' is an adjective. In Chinese, students often try to use 阴天 as an adjective modifying other nouns incorrectly. For example, saying '阴天的天气' (overcast day's weather) is redundant. Simply saying '阴天' or '天气很阴' is sufficient and more natural.
错误：今天很阴天。 (Incorrect: Today is very overcast day.)
正确：今天很阴。 (Correct: Today is very overcast.)
Another frequent error involves the misuse of '阴' in social contexts. While '阴' means overcast, it can also mean 'sinister' or 'shady' when describing a person's character (阴险 - yīnxiǎn). If you accidentally say '他很阴' (Tā hěn yīn), you aren't saying he is like a cloudy day; you are calling him a backstabber or a devious person. This is a high-stakes mistake! Always ensure that if you are talking about the weather, the context of '天' (sky/day) is clear.
- Weather vs. Time
- Sometimes learners confuse '阴天' with '晚上' (wǎnshàng - night) because both involve a lack of sunlight. However, 阴天 specifically refers to daytime weather where clouds block the sun. If it's night and there are clouds, we don't usually call it 阴天; we just say '看不见月亮' (can't see the moon).
不要把“阴天”和“下雨”混淆。 (Don't confuse 'overcast day' with 'raining'.)
Lastly, learners often forget that '阴天' can be a compound noun. When using it in a sentence like 'I like cloudy days,' you must include the '天'. Saying '我喜欢阴' sounds incomplete. By keeping these distinctions in mind—noun vs. object, weather vs. personality, and correct tonal pronunciation—you will avoid the most common pitfalls and speak about the weather like a native.
To expand your weather vocabulary, it is helpful to compare 阴天 (yīntiān) with its synonyms and related terms. While 阴天 is the general term for an overcast day, there are nuances that can make your descriptions more precise. For instance, 多云 (duōyún) is often confused with 阴天. The difference lies in the amount of blue sky visible. In a '多云' (partly cloudy) scenario, clouds are present, but the sun still breaks through. In a '阴天', the sun is completely hidden.
- Comparison: 阴天 vs. 多云
- 阴天: 80-100% cloud cover. No direct sunlight.
多云: 30-70% cloud cover. Occasional sunlight.
今天不是阴天，只是多云。 (Today isn't overcast, it's just partly cloudy.)
Another alternative is 灰蒙蒙 (huīméngméng). This is a more descriptive, almost poetic adjective used to describe a sky that is hazy and gray. It is often used when the overcast weather is combined with smog (雾霾 - wùmái). While 阴天 is a neutral weather term, 灰蒙蒙 carries a slightly more negative or oppressive feeling. If the clouds are particularly dark and look like they are about to bring a storm, you would use 乌云密布 (wūyún mìbù), which literally means 'dark clouds densely spread.'
- Comparison: 阴天 vs. 雾天
- 阴天 (Overcast): Clouds are high in the sky. Visibility is usually fine.
雾天 (Foggy): Clouds/moisture are at ground level. Visibility is poor.
虽然是阴天，但没有雾，看得见远处的山。 (Although it's an overcast day, there is no fog, so you can see the distant mountains.)
In formal writing, you might encounter 阴雨 (yīnyǔ). This combines 'overcast' and 'rain,' describing that miserable, drizzly weather that lasts for a long time. For learners, mastering these distinctions—between the light clouds of '多云,' the heavy gray of '阴天,' the dark threat of '乌云,' and the low-level '雾'—allows for a much richer and more accurate description of the world around you. Each word paints a slightly different picture of the sky, and choosing the right one shows a high level of linguistic sensitivity.
How Formal Is It?
Curiosidade
In ancient Chinese 'Feng Shui', the 'Yin' side of a hill was considered the north side, while the 'Yang' side was the south. This is why many city names like 'Hanyang' mean 'South of the Han River' (the sunny side).
Guia de pronúncia
- Pronouncing 'yin' with a falling tone (yìn), which sounds like 'printing'.
- Pronouncing 'tian' as 'tee-an' with two distinct syllables instead of a smooth glide.
- Neglecting the nasal 'n' ending, making it sound like 'yi-tie'.
- Using a rising tone on 'yin', which changes the meaning to 'hidden'.
- Failing to keep the pitch high enough on both syllables.
Exemplos por nível
今天是阴天。
Today is a cloudy day.
Subject + Verb (is) + Noun (cloudy day).
我不喜欢阴天。
I don't like cloudy days.
Negative '不' before the verb '喜欢'.
明天也是阴天吗？
Is tomorrow also a cloudy day?
Question particle '吗' at the end.
阴天没有太阳。
Overcast days have no sun.
Negative '没有' means 'to not have'.
这是阴天。
This is an overcast day.
Demonstrative pronoun '这'.
阴天很凉快。
Overcast days are cool.
Adjective '凉快' modified by '很'.
上海今天是阴天。
Shanghai is overcast today.
Time/Place + Weather condition.
阴天要带伞吗？
Do I need to bring an umbrella on a cloudy day?
'要' indicates necessity or future action.
天气预报说下午是阴天。
The weather forecast says it will be overcast this afternoon.
Reporting what someone/something '说' (says).
虽然是阴天，但是没下雨。
Although it's overcast, it's not raining.
Conjunction '虽然...但是...' (although... but...).
比起晴天，我更喜欢阴天。
I prefer overcast days to sunny days.
Comparative '比起...更...'.
阴天的时候，我喜欢看书。
When it's overcast, I like to read books.
'...的时候' means 'when' or 'during'.
因为今天是阴天，所以不热。
Because today is overcast, it's not hot.
Causal '因为...所以...'.
明天晴转阴。
Tomorrow will turn from sunny to overcast.
'转' indicates a change in state.
阴天拍照很漂亮。
Taking photos on overcast days is very beautiful.
Verb-object '拍照' as the subject.
要是阴天，我们就去博物馆。
If it's overcast, we will go to the museum.
Conditional '要是...就...' (if... then...).
这种阴天最适合在家里睡觉。
This kind of overcast day is perfect for sleeping at home.
'最适合' means 'most suitable'.
天空阴沉沉的，好像要下雨了。
The sky is very gloomy, it looks like it's going to rain.
Reduplicated adjective '阴沉沉' for emphasis.
阴天对我的心情有很大的影响。
Overcast days have a big impact on my mood.
'对...有影响' means 'to have an influence on'.
在南方，阴天往往伴随着潮湿。
In the south, overcast days are often accompanied by humidity.
'伴随着' means 'to be accompanied by'.
他脸上的表情像阴天一样冷淡。
The expression on his face was as cold as an overcast day.
Simile using '像...一样'.
连续几周的阴天让人感到压抑。
Several consecutive weeks of overcast days make people feel depressed.
'让人感到' means 'makes people feel'.
虽然是阴天，紫外线依然很强。
Although it's overcast, UV rays are still very strong.
'依然' is a formal word for 'still'.
我们趁着阴天去爬山吧。
Let's take advantage of the overcast weather to go hiking.
'趁着' means 'taking advantage of'.
阴天提供的散射光非常适合摄影。
The diffused light provided by overcast days is very suitable for photography.
Technical term '散射光' (diffused light).
那场比赛是在一个阴天举行的。
That match was held on an overcast day.
'是在...举行的' emphasizes the time/condition.
阴天虽然没有阳光，但能让人静下心来。
Although there's no sunlight on overcast days, it can help people calm down.
Resultative verb '静下心来'.
北京的阴天有时是因为雾霾造成的。
Overcast days in Beijing are sometimes caused by smog.
'是因为...造成的' means 'is caused by'.
他那阴天般的心情终于放晴了。
His overcast-like mood finally cleared up.
Metaphorical use of '阴天' and '放晴'.
阴天里，海水的颜色显得格外深沉。
On an overcast day, the color of the sea appears exceptionally deep.
'显得格外' means 'appears especially'.
这种持续的阴天不利于农作物的生长。
This kind of continuous overcast weather is not conducive to crop growth.
'不利于' means 'not beneficial for'.
他总是喜欢在阴天独自漫步在老街。
He always likes to wander alone in old streets on overcast days.
'独自漫步' means 'to wander alone'.
作者利用阴天这一意象，烘托出小说悲凉的气氛。
The author uses the imagery of an overcast day to heighten the novel's desolate atmosphere.
Literary analysis vocabulary: '意象', '烘托', '气氛'.
阴天并不代表黑暗，而是一种柔和的过渡。
An overcast day does not represent darkness, but rather a soft transition.
'并不代表...而是...' (doesn't represent... but rather...).
在长期阴天的环境下，人们容易患上季节性情绪失调。
In environments with chronic overcast weather, people are prone to Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Formal medical/psychological context.
阴天里的建筑轮廓显得更加清晰、冷峻。
The outlines of buildings on an overcast day appear clearer and more stern.
Aesthetic description.
这种阴天不仅仅是天气的变化，更是时代的隐喻。
This kind of overcast weather is not just a change in weather, but a metaphor for the era.
'不仅仅是...更是...' (not only... but even more...).
他习惯了在阴天里审视自己的内心世界。
He is accustomed to examining his inner world on overcast days.
'审视' is a high-level word for 'examine'.
阴天赋予了这座城市一种忧郁的美感。
The overcast weather endowed the city with a melancholic aesthetic.
'赋予' means 'to endow or bestow'.
尽管阴天笼罩，他依然保持着乐观的态度。
Despite being shrouded in overcast weather, he remained optimistic.
'笼罩' means 'to shroud or envelop'.
阴天在古典文学中常作为国破家亡、前途未卜的预兆。
In classical literature, overcast days often serve as omens of national ruin and uncertain futures.
Historical and literary context.
气象学上，阴天的定义有着严格的云量百分比界定。
Meteorologically, the definition of an overcast day has strict cloud cover percentage boundaries.
Technical/Scientific register.
他笔下的阴天，透着一种看透世事的苍凉与豁达。
The overcast days in his writing reveal a sense of desolation and open-mindedness from seeing through the world.
Deep philosophical description.
阴天与晴天的交替，构成了大自然最基本的呼吸节奏。
The alternation between overcast and sunny days constitutes the most basic rhythm of nature's breath.
Metaphorical/Poetic language.
在某些宗教仪式中，阴天被视为与神灵沟通的最佳时机。
In certain religious rituals, overcast days are seen as the best time to communicate with spirits.
Anthropological context.
这种阴天带来的压抑感，是他创作灵感的源泉。
The sense of oppression brought by this overcast weather is the source of his creative inspiration.
'源泉' means 'fountainhead' or 'source'.
阴天虽无暖阳，却有洗尽铅华后的真实与宁静。
Though an overcast day lacks the warm sun, it possesses the truth and tranquility after all superficiality is washed away.
Idiomatic expression '洗尽铅华'.
他站在阴天里，仿佛与整个宇宙的寂静融为一体。
Standing in the overcast day, he seemed to merge with the silence of the entire universe.
'融为一体' means 'to merge into one'.
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
— Overcast turning to partly cloudy. Common in weather forecasts.
明天阴转多云，气温回升。
— Another cloudy day. Expresses repetition or mild frustration.
唉，又是阴天，没法晒衣服了。
— Overcast mode. Used slangily to describe a long period of gray weather.
这座城市开启了阴天模式。
— Happy overcast day. A phrase popularized by a song, implying finding joy in sadness.
祝你阴天快乐。
— Not going out on cloudy days. A personal habit.
我这人阴天不出门。
— Afraid of the cold on cloudy days.
阴天怕冷的人要多穿点。
— Overcast light. Used by artists and photographers.
阴天光线最适合拍人像。
— The sun in an overcast sky. A metaphor for hope in dark times.
你就是我阴天里的太阳。
— Walking on an overcast day.
阴天散步很舒服，不晒。
— Adding light on a cloudy day. Photography term.
阴天补光很重要。
Expressões idiomáticas
— Dark clouds cover the sky. Often used to describe a tense situation.
谈判室内阴云密布，气氛紧张。
Formal/Literary— Sunny in the morning, overcast in the evening. Changeable weather.
这山里的天气朝晴暮阴，难以捉摸。
Literary— Changes in weather and phases of the moon. Metaphor for the ups and downs of life.
人有悲欢离合，月有阴晴圆缺。
Literary/Poetic— A series of wrong events or coincidences leading to an error.
因为阴错阳差，我们错过了最后一班车。
Common— Regardless of whether it is sunny or cloudy.
他每天坚持跑步，不分阴晴。
Common— A cold, gloomy wind blowing.
树林里阴风习习，让人发抖。
Literary— Clouds part to show the sun. Overcoming difficulties to see success.
经过努力，他终于开云见日，获得了成功。
Formal— Pushing away clouds to see the sun. Same as above, often used for truth being revealed.
真相终于大白，真是拨云见日。
Formal— The sky has unpredictable winds and clouds. Life is unpredictable.
天有不测风云，人有旦夕祸福。
Common/Proverb— Wind rises and clouds surge. A large-scale, dramatic change or movement.
那个时代，英雄辈出，风起云涌。
Literary/HistoricalFamília de palavras
Substantivos
Verbos
Adjetivos
Relacionado
Memorize
Mnemônico
Think of the 'Yin' in 'Yin and Yang'. Yin is the dark, cool, and shadowy part. Combine that with 'Tian' (sky) and you get a 'shadowy sky'—an overcast day.
Associação visual
Imagine a giant gray blanket (the clouds) being pulled over the sky (Tian), hiding the bright sun.
Word Web
Desafio
Try to describe your current weather using only Chinese weather words. If it's sunny, say '今天不是阴天'. If it's cloudy, say '今天是阴天'.
Origem da palavra
The character '阴' (yīn) originally consisted of the 'hill' radical (阝) and 'cloud' (云) in its traditional form (陰). It depicted the side of a hill that was covered in clouds or shadow. The simplified form uses '月' (moon), which is also associated with night and darkness.
Significado original: The shaded or dark side of a mountain or river bank.
Sino-TibetanContexto cultural
No specific sensitivities, but avoid using '阴' to describe a person's character unless you mean to call them devious.
In English, 'cloudy' is often synonymous with 'gloomy' or 'sad'. In Chinese, while it can be sad, it is also frequently associated with being 'cool' (凉快), which is a positive attribute in hot climates.
Summary
Mastering '阴天' allows you to discuss daily weather and emotions. Remember it is a noun, not an adjective. Example: '阴天很凉快' (Cloudy days are cool), but never say '我很阴天'.
- 阴天 (yīntiān) means an overcast or cloudy day where the sun is hidden by clouds.
- It is a noun, often used in the sentence structure '今天是阴天' (Today is a cloudy day).
- It is the opposite of 晴天 (qíngtiān - sunny day) and different from 多云 (duōyún - partly cloudy).
- Culturally, it can represent a somber mood or provide a cool, comfortable environment for activities.
Exemplo
今天是个阴天。
Conteúdo relacionado
Esta palavra em outros idiomas
Frases relacionadas
Mais palavras de nature
观赏
A2Contemplar ou admirar algo belo, como uma paisagem, arte ou uma apresentação.
探险
B1Explorar lugares desconhecidos ou perigosos em busca de descobertas.
空气
A1Air
沿着
A2along
始终
A2Do início ao fim; sempre; do primeiro ao último. Indica algo que permanece inalterado ou constante durante um período.
动物
A1Animal. Ser vivo que tem a capacidade de se mover e sentir.
靠近
A2Aproximar-se de algo ou estar perto de algo.
人工
A2Artificial; feito pelo homem. Exemplos: 1. Um lago artificial (一个人工湖). 2. Inteligência artificial (人工智能).
秋天
A1O outono é a estação entre o verão e o inverno.
蔚蓝
A2Azul-celeste; um azul profundo e límpido, usado para descrever o céu ou o mar.
