Korean Dictionary
How to say "Overcast" in Korean
“Overcast” in Korean is 잔뜩 흐린 (pronounced "Janddeuk Heurin").
잔뜩 흐린
Janddeuk Heurin
Usage & Context
잔뜩 흐린 describes a heavily overcast sky with thick dark clouds. This kind of sky often precedes heavy rain or storms in Korea. The expression evokes a heavy gloomy atmosphere and is frequently used in Korean literature and song.
Example Sentence
오늘은 하늘이 잔뜩 흐려서 비가 올 것 같아요.
The sky is very overcast today so it looks like rain is coming.
How to use 잔뜩 흐린 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Overcast” is 잔뜩 흐린, romanized as Janddeuk Heurin.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 잔뜩 흐린.
Pronunciation Guide
잔뜩 (Janddeuk) sounds like 'jan-ddeuk', where 'ddeuk' has a tense 'dd' sound and 'eu' is like 'oo' in 'book' but shorter. 흐린 (Heurin) is pronounced 'heu-rin', with 'heu' being a breathy 'h' followed by a short 'u' sound. The 't' in '잔뜩' is unreleased.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
흐립니다
Heurimnida
Formal polite form of '흐리다' (to be cloudy/overcast).
Casual (반말)
흐려
Heuryeo
Casual form of '흐리다' (to be cloudy/overcast).
More Example Sentences
Describing a mood influenced by gloomy weather.
아침부터 하늘이 잔뜩 흐려서 기분이 좀 가라앉았어요.
The sky has been heavily overcast since morning, so I feel a bit down.
Observing outdoor activity in less-than-ideal weather.
잔뜩 흐린 날씨에도 불구하고 등산객들이 많았어요.
Despite the heavily overcast weather, there were many hikers.
Relaying a weather forecast.
내일은 잔뜩 흐리고 비 소식이 있다고 해요.
They say tomorrow will be heavily overcast with news of rain.
Cultural Context
잔뜩 흐린 (Janddeuk Heurin) describes a sky that is not just cloudy, but heavily or completely overcast, often with dark, thick clouds. This expression frequently evokes a gloomy or melancholic atmosphere and is commonly used in K-dramas, songs, and literature to set a mood. It typically precedes heavy rain or storms, making it a familiar sight during Korea's monsoon season or in late autumn/winter.
Editorial note
We review entries like 잔뜩 흐린 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
하늘이 잔뜩 흐리다
The sky is heavily overcast
잔뜩 흐린 날
A heavily overcast day
잔뜩 흐린 표정
A gloomy expression (metaphorical use)
Related Expressions
흐리다
Heurida
To be cloudy/overcast (verb)
구름이 많다
Gureumi manta
To have many clouds, cloudy
먹구름
Meokgureum
Dark clouds
맑은 하늘
Malgeun haneul
Clear sky (antonym)
More Weather Words
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