Korean Dictionary
How to say "Sudden Shower" in Korean
“Sudden Shower” in Korean is 소나기 (pronounced "Sonagi").
소나기
Sonagi
Usage & Context
소나기 is a sudden brief summer rain shower that appears quickly and passes fast. The famous Korean short story 소나기 by Hwang Sunwon made this word deeply meaningful in Korean literary culture. Getting caught in a 소나기 without an umbrella is a common summer experience.
Example Sentence
갑자기 소나기가 쏟아져서 흠뻑 젖었어요.
I got completely soaked because a sudden shower poured down.
How to use 소나기 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Sudden Shower” is 소나기, romanized as Sonagi.
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 소나기.
Pronunciation Guide
소 (So) sounds like 'so' in 'so-so'. 나 (Na) is like 'na' in 'banana'. 기 (Gi) is pronounced like 'gee' in 'geese'. The word flows as 'So-na-gee'.
More Example Sentences
Describing an unexpected and inconvenient rain experience.
우산이 없는데 갑자기 소나기가 내려서 당황했어요.
I didn't have an umbrella, and a sudden shower came down, so I was flustered.
Explaining typical summer weather patterns.
여름에는 소나기가 자주 와서 예측하기 어려워요.
In summer, sudden showers come often, making them hard to predict.
Seeking shelter from sudden rain.
소나기를 피하려고 처마 밑에 서 있었어요.
I stood under the eaves to avoid the sudden shower.
Cultural Context
소나기 (Sonagi) is a sudden, brief, and often intense summer rain shower. It holds a special place in Korean culture, largely due to Hwang Sunwon's famous short story '소나기,' which imbues the word with romantic and nostalgic connotations. Getting caught in a 소나기 without an umbrella is a common summer experience, often leading to a quick dash for shelter or simply embracing the refreshing downpour amidst the summer heat.
Editorial note
We review entries like 소나기 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
소나기가 오다
A sudden shower comes
소나기를 맞다
To get caught in a sudden shower
소나기처럼
Like a sudden shower (often used metaphorically for something brief and intense)
Related Expressions
비
Bi
Rain (general)
장마
Jangma
Monsoon season
폭우
Pog-u
Heavy rain, downpour
이슬비
Iseulbi
Drizzle
More Weather Words
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