Korean Dictionary
How to say "Rainy" in Korean
“Rainy” in Korean is 비오는 (pronounced "bioneun").
비오는
bioneun
Usage & Context
Describes weather with precipitation. Rain is common in Korea, especially during the monsoon season. Koreans often discuss rainy weather and its impact on daily activities.
Example Sentence
비오는 날씨에는 우산이 필요해요.
You need an umbrella on rainy days.
How to use 비오는 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Rainy” is 비오는, romanized as bioneun.
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 비오는.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'BEE-oh-neun' — three light syllables. '비' is like English 'bee', '오' rhymes with 'oh', and '는' has the Korean 'ㅡ' vowel (relaxed, almost a schwa). Say it smoothly, not choppy.
More Example Sentences
Common Korean food craving tied to rain
비오는 날에는 파전이 생각나요.
On rainy days I crave pajeon.
Late for a meeting, explaining traffic
비오는 날이라 길이 많이 막혀요.
Since it's raining, the roads are really jammed.
Bedtime conversation about sleep
비 오는 소리를 들으면 잠이 잘 와요.
I fall asleep easily when I hear the sound of rain.
Cultural Context
Koreans strongly associate rainy days with '파전에 막걸리' — savory scallion pancakes with rice wine — because the sizzling sound of frying pajeon mimics rain hitting the ground. On any 비오는 날, delivery apps see huge spikes in 치킨 and 족발 orders. Lyrically, '비오는 날' appears in countless K-ballads as a setting for sadness, nostalgia, or remembering an ex, so the phrase carries emotional weight beyond just weather.
Editorial note
We review entries like 비오는 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
비가 와요.
It's raining.
비오는 날이 좋아요.
I like rainy days.
우산 챙겨!
Grab your umbrella!
Related Expressions
장마
Jangma
Rainy season (late June through July)
소나기
Sonagi
A sudden summer shower
우산
Usan
Umbrella
폭우
Pogu
Heavy downpour
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct pronunciation of 비오는 (bioneun) and are there any tricky sounds to master?+
The pronunciation of 비오는 (bioneun) is fairly straightforward. "비" (bi) sounds like "bee," "오" (o) is like the "o" in "go," and "는" (neun) is like "nun." The key is to connect the sounds smoothly. Ensure the "오" is a clear, open vowel and "는" has a soft 'n' sound. Avoid exaggerating the individual sounds; aim for a natural flow.
How do Koreans typically use 비오는 (bioneun) in sentences to describe a rainy day or weather?+
비오는 (bioneun) acts as an adjective, modifying a noun. You'd commonly see it with 날 (nal, day) or 날씨 (nalssi, weather) like "비오는 날" (bioneun nal, rainy day) or "비오는 날씨" (bioneun nalssi, rainy weather). For example, "오늘은 비오는 날이에요" (oneureun bioneun narieyo) means "Today is a rainy day." It describes the current state or characteristic of the day/weather.
Are there other common Korean phrases or words closely related to 비오는 (bioneun) that I should know?+
Yes, several. 비가 오다 (biga oda) means "it rains" (literally, "rain comes"), which is the verb form. 비가 많이 오다 (biga mani oda) means "it rains a lot." 장마철 (jangmacheol) refers to the monsoon season, a period when 비오는 날 (bioneun nal) are frequent. You might also hear 빗방울 (bitbangul, raindrop) or 우산 (usan, umbrella) in discussions about rainy weather.
Is 비오는 (bioneun) suitable for all situations, or are there more formal or informal alternatives for "rainy" in Korean?+
비오는 (bioneun) is a neutral and widely applicable term for "rainy," suitable for most everyday conversations and written contexts. It doesn't carry strong formal or informal connotations. For more formal or poetic descriptions, you might encounter expressions like "우천 시" (ucheon si, in case of rain) or phrases emphasizing the intensity, but 비오는 itself remains standard and appropriate across various settings.
What are some common mistakes non-native speakers make when using 비오는 (bioneun) and how can I avoid them?+
A common mistake is confusing 비오는 with the verb form 비가 오다 (biga oda). Remember, 비오는 is an adjective ("rainy"), while 비가 오다 is a verb phrase ("it rains"). For instance, don't say "오늘 비오는" when you mean "It's raining today"; instead, use "오늘 비가 와요" (oneul biga wayo). Also, ensure proper spacing when writing, as "비 오는" (two words) is also common and correct.
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