Talking About the Weather: Beyond 'It's Hot'

🌤️

Talking About the Weather: Beyond 'It's Hot'

Every Korean conversation has weather in it — but fluent speakers go far beyond 더워요 and 추워요.

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Iru Helper Note

Weather talk in Korean is a cultural ritual — and the vocabulary is surprisingly vivid and specific.

날씨가 꾸물꾸물하네요. 비 올 것 같아요.

(The weather is overcast and gloomy. It looks like it's going to rain.)

⛅ What You'll Learn Today

Korean weather vocabulary goes well beyond hot and cold. Koreans use expressive words — many of them onomatopoeia or mimetic words — to describe exactly how the weather feels. In this lesson you'll learn descriptors for heat, cold, humidity, wind, clouds, and sunshine that make your weather talk sound genuinely native. You'll also learn the key weather prediction pattern ~(으)ㄹ 것 같아요 and how to react to weather like a local.

📌 Weather Description Vocabulary

Expression	Meaning	Notes
꾸물꾸물하다	Overcast / gloomy / cloudy in a gloomy way	Expressive weather word
쨍쨍하다	Blazingly sunny / dazzlingly bright	Summer sun
후덥지근하다	Hot and humid / stuffy	Worse than just 더워요
선선하다	Pleasantly cool/crisp	Autumn/spring feel
쌀쌀하다	Chilly / nippy	Slightly cold
포근하다	Warm and gentle / mild	Spring warmth
칼바람이 불다	A knife-like cold wind blows	Harsh winter wind
바람이 쌩쌩 불다	Wind blows fiercely	쌩쌩 = whooshing sound
안개가 끼다	Fog sets in	Already covered in IS #49
~ㄹ 것 같아요	It seems like ~ / looks like ~	Prediction
날씨가 풀리다	The weather warms up/clears up	Spring arrival expression
날씨가 변덕스럽다	The weather is fickle / unpredictable	Spring weather especially
기온이 떨어지다	Temperature drops	기온 = temperature
습도가 높다	Humidity is high	습도 = humidity

💡 Key pattern: ~(으)ㄹ 것 같아요 — used for predictions based on evidence you can see/feel. 비 올 것 같아요. (It looks like rain.) 더울 것 같아요. (It seems like it'll be hot.)

💬 Conversations in Action

Dialogue 1 — Morning weather check

A: 오늘 날씨 어때요? (How's the weather today?)

B: 꾸물꾸물한 게 비 올 것 같아요. 우산 챙기세요. (It's gloomy — looks like rain. Bring an umbrella.)

A: 그렇네요. 요즘 날씨가 변덕스럽네요. (You're right. The weather's been really fickle lately.)

Dialogue 2 — Humid summer day

A: 오늘 왜 이렇게 힘들어요? (Why is today so tough?)

B: 후덥지근해서요. 그냥 더운 게 아니라 습도까지 높으니까 진짜 지치네요. (Because it's hot and humid. It's not just hot — the humidity is high too, so it's really exhausting.)

A: 맞아요. 이런 날은 에어컨 없이 못 살 것 같아요. (Right. On days like this I don't think I could live without AC.)

🌏 Cultural Note — Weather as Small Talk in Korea

Korean weather talk is more than small talk filler — it's emotionally expressive. Koreans have a special word for when spring finally arrives and the air becomes mild: 날씨가 풀렸어요 (the weather has loosened/warmed up), said with genuine relief after a long winter. Similarly, 꾸물꾸물 captures the particular oppressiveness of a grey, drizzly day in a way that "cloudy" simply doesn't. The summer humidity (장마 rainy season + the hot aftermath) is genuinely brutal, and 후덥지근하다 is the word Koreans reach for when 더워요 isn't enough. Paying attention to Korean weather words gives you a window into how the seasons feel emotionally, not just meteorologically.

<summary>Try This Speaking Exercise

Describe today's actual weather using specific vocabulary beyond hot or cold.

A. Say the weather looks gloomy and it might rain.

<summary>Answer

날씨가 꾸물꾸물해서 비 올 것 같아요.

(The weather is gloomy, so it looks like it might rain.)

</summary>

B. Say it's hot and humid today.

<summary>Answer

오늘 후덥지근해요.

(Today is hot and humid.)

</summary>

C. Say the weather is pleasantly cool today.

<summary>Answer

오늘 날씨가 선선해요.

(Today's weather is pleasantly cool.)

</summary>

D. Say it's a bit chilly so you need a jacket.

<summary>Answer

쌀쌀해서 겉옷 챙겨야 해요.

(It's chilly so you need to bring a jacket.)

</summary>

E. Say the sun is blazingly bright today.

<summary>Answer

오늘 햇볕이 쨍쨍해요.

(Today the sun is blazingly bright.)

</summary>

F. Say a fierce cold wind is blowing.

<summary>Answer

칼바람이 불어요.

(A knife-like cold wind is blowing.)

</summary>

G. Say the weather has been unpredictable lately.

<summary>Answer

요즘 날씨가 변덕스러워요.

(The weather has been fickle lately.)

</summary>

H. Say the temperature has dropped since yesterday.

<summary>Answer

어제보다 기온이 떨어졌어요.

(The temperature has dropped since yesterday.)

</summary>

I. Say spring has finally arrived because the weather warmed up.

<summary>Answer

날씨가 풀려서 이제 진짜 봄인 것 같아요.

(The weather has warmed up so I think it's really spring now.)

</summary>

J. Say the humidity is so high that it's exhausting.

<summary>Answer

습도가 너무 높아서 진짜 지치네요.

(The humidity is so high that it's really exhausting.)

</summary>

📚

Expression Reference

Expression	Key Nuance
꾸물꾸물하다	Gloomy/overcast
후덥지근하다	Hot + humid
선선하다	Pleasantly cool
쌀쌀하다	Chilly/nippy
쨍쨍하다	Blazingly sunny
칼바람	Knife-cold wind
날씨가 풀리다	Weather warms up

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Tip: Mimetic Words for Weather

Korean uses mimetic words (의태어) for vivid weather description: 꾸물꾸물 (gloomy, sluggish), 쨍쨍 (blazing, dazzling), 쌩쌩 (whooshing wind). These words make your Korean feel naturally expressive — even native speakers smile when a learner uses them correctly.

</summary>

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Want more reps?

Describe today's weather using at least three words from this lesson — temperature, humidity or wind, and your prediction. Chain them with ~고 and end with ~ㄹ 것 같아요. That's a full weather update in Korean.

📦 Practice Hub — Talking About the Weather

Exercise 1 — Choose the Right Expression

Pick the most vivid and accurate weather description for each situation.

A. The sky is grey, overcast, and feels heavy. What do you say?

a) 날씨가 쨍쨍해요

b) 날씨가 꾸물꾸물해요

c) 날씨가 선선해요

<summary>Answer

b) 날씨가 꾸물꾸물해요 — The mimetic word for grey, gloomy, sluggish weather.

B. It's summer, very hot AND very humid. You're sweating just standing still.

a) 더워요

b) 후덥지근해요

c) 쌀쌀해요

<summary>Answer

b) 후덥지근해요 — Specifically hot AND humid — far more expressive than 더워요.

C. It's a crisp autumn afternoon. The air feels fresh and gentle.

a) 쌀쌀해요

b) 포근해요

c) 선선해요

<summary>Answer

c) 선선해요 — Pleasantly cool and crisp. 쌀쌀 = slightly cold; 포근 = warm/mild.

D. It's a cold winter day and the wind is cutting through your clothes.

a) 바람이 시원해요

b) 칼바람이 불어요

c) 바람이 많이 불어요

<summary>Answer

b) 칼바람이 불어요 — 칼바람 = knife-wind. Describes the biting, piercing cold wind of winter.

E. The sun is out intensely, making everything bright and hot.

a) 날씨가 꾸물꾸물해요

b) 햇볕이 쨍쨍해요

c) 날씨가 흐려요

<summary>Answer

b) 햇볕이 쨍쨍해요 — 쨍쨍 captures the blazing, dazzling intensity of strong sunlight.

F. Spring arrived and the air is finally mild after winter. You want to express relief.

a) 날씨가 더워요

b) 날씨가 풀렸어요

c) 날씨가 춥네요

<summary>Answer

b) 날씨가 풀렸어요 — The specific Korean expression for when winter loosens and warmth arrives.

G. You're predicting rain based on the dark clouds you see.

a) 비가 왔어요

b) 비가 올 것 같아요

c) 비가 올 거 아니에요

<summary>Answer

b) 비가 올 것 같아요 — ~ㄹ 것 같아요 = looks like it will ~. Evidence-based prediction.

H. It's a little cold but not freezing — you'd say it's chilly.

a) 추워요

b) 선선해요

c) 쌀쌀해요

<summary>Answer

c) 쌀쌀해요 — Chilly / nippy. Between 선선 (pleasant cool) and 추워요 (cold).

I. The weather has been changing every day — sometimes sunny, sometimes rainy.

a) 날씨가 좋아요

b) 날씨가 변덕스러워요

c) 날씨가 안정적이에요

<summary>Answer

b) 날씨가 변덕스러워요 — 변덕스럽다 = fickle/unpredictable. Classic spring weather descriptor.

J. The temperature suddenly dropped overnight.

a) 기온이 올라갔어요

b) 기온이 떨어졌어요

c) 기온이 같아요

<summary>Answer

b) 기온이 떨어졌어요 — 기온이 떨어지다 = temperature drops. Natural weather news expression.

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Quick Reference

Expression	Meaning
꾸물꾸물하다	Gloomy/overcast
후덥지근하다	Hot and humid
선선하다	Pleasantly cool
쌀쌀하다	Chilly/nippy
쨍쨍하다	Blazingly sunny
칼바람	Knife-cold wind
날씨가 풀리다	Weather warms up
변덕스럽다	Fickle/unpredictable

⚠️

Common Pitfall

선선하다 vs 쌀쌀하다 vs 포근하다: these are all "not hot" but different:

포근 = warm, cozy, gentle (spring or mild winter indoors)

선선 = cool and crisp but pleasant (autumn walk)

쌀쌀 = chilly, slightly unpleasant cold (makes you shiver slightly)

Don't use 선선 for a cold day — it's specifically pleasant cool.

Exercise 2 — Korean → English Translation

Translate each weather description naturally.

A. 오늘 날씨가 꾸물꾸물해서 기분도 처지네요.

<summary>Answer

The weather is so gloomy today that my mood is dragging too.

B. 후덥지근해서 에어컨 없이는 못 있겠어요.

<summary>Answer

It's so hot and humid that I can't bear to stay without AC.

C. 날씨가 풀렸어요! 이제 진짜 봄 같아요.

<summary>Answer

The weather has warmed up! It really feels like spring now.

D. 칼바람이 불어서 귀가 얼 것 같아요.

<summary>Answer

A knife-cold wind is blowing and it feels like my ears are going to freeze.

E. 습도가 높아서 그냥 더운 것보다 훨씬 힘들어요.

<summary>Answer

The humidity is high so it's much harder than just being hot.

F. 요즘 날씨가 변덕스러워서 뭘 입어야 할지 모르겠어요.

<summary>Answer

The weather has been so fickle lately that I don't know what to wear.

G. 오늘 햇볕이 쨍쨍해서 선크림 꼭 바르세요.

<summary>Answer

The sun is blazingly bright today, so be sure to put on sunscreen.

H. 어제보다 기온이 많이 떨어져서 겉옷 챙겼어요.

<summary>Answer

The temperature dropped a lot from yesterday so I brought a jacket.

I. 날씨가 선선해서 산책하기 딱 좋아요.

<summary>Answer

The weather is pleasantly cool so it's just right for a walk.

J. 오늘 저녁에 쌀쌀해질 것 같으니까 얇은 겉옷 챙기세요.

<summary>Answer

It looks like it'll get chilly this evening, so bring a light jacket.

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Vocabulary Cheat Sheet

Korean	English
기분이 처지다	Mood drags/sinks
귀가 얼다	Ears freeze
선크림 바르다	Apply sunscreen
겉옷 챙기다	Bring a jacket
훨씬 힘들다	Much harder/tougher

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Grammar Tip

~ㄹ 것 같다 for predictions: after a verb stem ending in a vowel, add ~ㄹ 것 같아요: 비가 오다 → 비가 올 것 같아요. After a consonant, add ~을: 춥다 → 추울 것 같아요. This form expresses appearance-based prediction — "it seems/looks like it will ~."

Exercise 3 — Complete the Sentence

Fill in the blank with the right weather expression.

A. 날씨가 꾸물해서 비 올 것 같아요. (gloomy/overcast)

<summary>Answer

꾸물 — 날씨가 꾸물꾸물해서 비 올 것 같아요.

B. 오늘 지근해서 땀이 많이 나요. (hot and humid)

<summary>Answer

후덥 — 오늘 후덥지근해서 땀이 많이 나요.

C. 날씨가 려서 이제 봄 같아요. (warmed up)

<summary>Answer

풀 — 날씨가 풀려서 이제 봄 같아요.

D. 오늘 햇볕이 쨍해요. (blazingly sunny)

<summary>Answer

쨍 — 오늘 햇볕이 쨍쨍해요.

E. 바람이 너무 해서 우산이 뒤집혔어요. (fierce/knife-cold)

<summary>Answer

칼바람이 — 칼바람이 너무 심해서 우산이 뒤집혔어요.

F. 요즘 날씨가 스러워요. (fickle)

<summary>Answer

변덕 — 요즘 날씨가 변덕스러워요.

G. 가을 날씨가 해서 산책하기 좋아요. (pleasantly cool)

<summary>Answer

선선 — 가을 날씨가 선선해서 산책하기 좋아요.

H. 오늘 저녁에 쌀할 것 같아요. (chilly)

<summary>Answer

쌀 — 오늘 저녁에 쌀쌀할 것 같아요.

I. 도가 높아서 더 더운 것 같아요. (humidity)

<summary>Answer

습 — 습도가 높아서 더 더운 것 같아요.

J. 기온이 어져서 옷을 더 입어야 해요. (dropped)

<summary>Answer

떨어 — 기온이 떨어져서 옷을 더 입어야 해요.

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Sentence Starters

Starter	Completes With
날씨가 꾸물꾸물해서	비 올 것 같아요
후덥지근해서	에어컨 필요해요
날씨가 풀려서	이제 봄 같아요
기온이 떨어져서	겉옷 챙겨야 해요
변덕스러운 날씨라서	뭘 입어야 할지 몰라요

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Production Tip

Build a weather update: 오늘 날씨가 [description]해요. [Reason]아/어서 [consequence]. [Future prediction] ㄹ 것 같아요. — Three sentences that cover current state, why it matters, and what's coming. That's a full Korean weather moment.

Exercise 4 — Dialogue Completion

Complete B's response naturally using today's weather vocabulary.

A. A: 오늘 날씨 어때요? B: (describe with more than 더워요)

<summary>Answer

후덥지근해요. 그냥 더운 게 아니라 습도까지 높아서 진짜 힘들어요.

(It's hot and humid. It's not just hot — the humidity is high too, so it's really tough.)

B. A: 비 올 것 같아요? B: (predict based on the sky)

<summary>Answer

날씨가 꾸물꾸물한 게 올 것 같아요. 우산 챙기는 게 좋을 것 같아요.

(The gloomy weather makes it look like it will. I think it's better to bring an umbrella.)

C. A: 오늘 밖에 나가도 돼요? B: (give weather-based advice)

<summary>Answer

칼바람이 심해요. 두꺼운 옷 입고 나가세요. 귀도 가릴 수 있는 모자 챙기는 것도 좋아요.

(The knife-wind is severe. Dress in thick clothes before going out. It's also good to bring a hat that covers your ears.)

D. A: 봄이 왔나요? B: (use 날씨가 풀리다)

<summary>Answer

네, 날씨가 많이 풀렸어요. 이제 진짜 봄 같은 느낌이에요.

(Yes, the weather has warmed up a lot. Now it really feels like spring.)

E. A: 가을 날씨 좋아해요? B: (describe the pleasant cool feeling)

<summary>Answer

네, 가을 날씨가 선선해서 좋아요. 산책하거나 야외 활동하기 딱 좋아요.

(Yes, I like autumn weather because it's pleasantly cool. It's just right for walks or outdoor activities.)

F. A: 오늘 선크림 발랐어요? B: (explain because of the intense sun)

<summary>Answer

네, 오늘 햇볕이 쨍쨍해서 꼭 발랐어요. 이런 날엔 꼭 써야 해요.

(Yes, the sun is blazingly bright today so I made sure to apply it. On days like this you definitely need it.)

G. A: 어제보다 오늘 더 춥지 않아요? B: (comment on the temperature drop)

<summary>Answer

맞아요. 기온이 많이 떨어졌어요. 갑자기 쌀쌀해진 것 같아요.

(Right. The temperature has dropped a lot. It seems to have suddenly gotten chilly.)

H. A: 요즘 날씨 어때요? B: (complain about unpredictable weather)

<summary>Answer

변덕스러워서 뭘 입어야 할지 모르겠어요. 아침엔 추웠다가 낮엔 더워요.

(It's so fickle that I don't know what to wear. It's cold in the morning and hot in the afternoon.)

I. A: 오늘 습도가 어때요? B: (describe the humidity and its effect)

<summary>Answer

습도가 너무 높아요. 그냥 덥기만 한 게 아니라 끈적끈적해서 불쾌해요.

(The humidity is too high. It's not just hot — it's sticky and uncomfortable.)

J. A: 내일 날씨 어떨 것 같아요? B: (give a prediction with ~ㄹ 것 같아요)

<summary>Answer

오늘보다 더 더울 것 같아요. 뉴스에서 기온이 더 올라간다고 했어요.

(It looks like it'll be hotter than today. The news said the temperature will rise further.)

📚

Useful Phrases

Phrase	Meaning
끈적끈적하다	Sticky (from humidity)
두꺼운 옷	Thick/heavy clothing
야외 활동	Outdoor activities
갑자기	Suddenly
기온이 올라가다	Temperature rises
불쾌하다	Uncomfortable/unpleasant

💡

Conversation Tip

Connect weather to mood or plans: 날씨가 꾸물꾸물한 날엔 집에서 영화 보고 싶어요. (On gloomy days I want to watch movies at home.) or 선선해서 산책하기 딱 좋아요. (It's pleasantly cool so it's just right for a walk.) Weather + activity is the natural next step in Korean weather talk.

Exercise 5 — Free Speaking Practice

Describe weather situations using today's vivid vocabulary.

A. Describe today's weather using at least two new words from this lesson.

<summary>Sample Answer

오늘 날씨가 꾸물꾸물하고 쌀쌀해요. 비가 올 것 같아서 우산 챙겼어요.

(Today's weather is gloomy and chilly. It looks like it'll rain so I brought an umbrella.)

B. Describe what a hot and humid summer day feels like in Korea.

<summary>Sample Answer

한국 여름은 후덥지근한 날이 많아요. 그냥 덥기만 한 게 아니라 습도까지 높아서 끈적끈적해요.

(There are many hot and humid days in Korean summer. It's not just hot — the humidity is also high so it gets sticky.)

C. Say what you do on a gloomy, overcast day.

<summary>Sample Answer

날씨가 꾸물꾸물한 날엔 기분도 처지는 것 같아요. 그래서 집에서 커피 마시면서 음악 들어요.

(On gloomy, overcast days my mood seems to sink too. So I drink coffee and listen to music at home.)

D. Describe how you feel when spring weather finally arrives.

<summary>Sample Answer

날씨가 풀리면 너무 좋아요. 긴 겨울이 끝나고 따뜻해지는 게 느껴져서 기분이 좋아져요.

(When the weather warms up, it's so good. The long winter is over and feeling the warmth makes my mood improve.)

E. Warn someone about a cold, windy day and what to wear.

<summary>Sample Answer

오늘 칼바람이 심해요. 두꺼운 코트랑 목도리 꼭 챙기세요. 귀 덮는 모자도 좋아요.

(The knife-wind is severe today. Be sure to bring a thick coat and scarf. A hat that covers your ears is good too.)

F. Describe the best kind of weather day for you.

<summary>Sample Answer

저는 선선하고 하늘이 맑은 날이 제일 좋아요. 산책하기도 좋고 기분도 좋아지거든요.

(I like pleasantly cool days with a clear sky the most. It's good for walks and my mood improves.)

G. Predict tomorrow's weather based on what you see today.

<summary>Sample Answer

지금 구름이 많이 꼈는데 내일 비가 올 것 같아요. 우산 챙기는 게 좋을 것 같아요.

(A lot of clouds have gathered today so it looks like it'll rain tomorrow. I think it's better to bring an umbrella.)

H. Complain about unpredictable spring weather.

<summary>Sample Answer

봄 날씨가 진짜 변덕스러워요. 어제는 포근했는데 오늘은 칼바람이 불어요. 뭘 입어야 할지 모르겠어요.

(Spring weather is really fickle. Yesterday it was mild but today there's a knife-cold wind. I don't know what to wear.)

I. Describe a weather change that surprised you recently.

<summary>Sample Answer

어제까지 너무 더웠는데 오늘 갑자기 기온이 떨어져서 놀랐어요. 겉옷을 못 챙겼어요.

(It was so hot until yesterday but today the temperature suddenly dropped, so I was surprised. I didn't bring a jacket.)

J. Wrap up: explain why weather vocabulary matters in Korean conversation.

<summary>Sample Answer

한국에서는 날씨 얘기가 일상 대화의 시작인 경우가 많아요. 더워요보다 후덥지근해요가 훨씬 더 공감을 얻어요.

(In Korea, weather talk often starts everyday conversations. 후덥지근해요 gets much more empathy than just 더워요.)

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Sentence Starters

Starter	Use
날씨가 [adj]해서	[consequence]
오늘 [weather word]	[activity/advice]
기온이 떨어져서	겉옷 필요해요
비가 올 것 같아서	우산 챙겼어요
변덕스러운 날씨라서	뭘 입을지 몰라요

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Speaking Challenge

Describe a full week of weather using different vocabulary for each day — no repeating 더워요 or 추워요. Use 꾸물꾸물, 후덥지근, 선선, 쌀쌀, 쨍쨍, 칼바람, and 변덕스럽다 across seven days. Variety is fluency.

이제 날씨를 더 생생하게 한국어로 표현할 수 있어요! ✨