yǔtiān: 雨天 - Rainy Day, Wet Weather

• Keywords: yǔtiān, 雨天, Chinese for rainy day, what is yutian, yutian meaning, wet weather in Chinese, 下雨, 天气, Chinese weather vocabulary, rain in China.
• Summary: Learn how to say 'rainy day' in Chinese with our complete guide to 雨天 (yǔtiān). This entry breaks down the simple characters 雨 (yǔ - rain) and 天 (tiān - day), explores the cultural significance of rainy weather in China, and provides over 10 practical example sentences. Whether you're discussing the weather, expressing a gloomy mood, or planning your day, understanding 雨天 is essential for everyday Chinese conversation. Discover key related terms like 下雨 (xià yǔ - to rain) and 天气 (tiānqì - weather) to master Chinese weather vocabulary.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yǔtiān
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 2
• Concise Definition: A day on which it rains; a rainy day.
• In a Nutshell: 雨天 (yǔtiān) is the most common and direct way to say “rainy day” in Mandarin Chinese. It's a noun that literally combines “rain” (雨) and “day” (天) to describe a type of weather. Think of it as a label for the day itself, distinct from the action of raining.

• 雨 (yǔ): This character is a pictograph. The top line represents the sky or a cloud, and the four dots inside are stylized raindrops falling down. It straightforwardly means “rain.”
• 天 (tiān): This character originally depicted a person with a large head, symbolizing what is above—the heavens or the sky. It has come to mean “sky,” “heaven,” or “day.”
• When combined, 雨天 (yǔtiān) literally means “rain-day,” a simple and logical construction for “a rainy day.”

In Chinese culture, rain holds a dual significance that is both practical and poetic. On one hand, rain is a symbol of life, renewal, and prosperity. China has historically been an agrarian society, and timely rain (及时雨, jíshíyǔ) was essential for a good harvest. A gentle, steady rain in spring is seen as a great blessing, ensuring a bountiful year. This positive view connects rain with good fortune and the nourishment of life. On the other hand, much like in Western culture, rain is a powerful metaphor for sadness, melancholy, and nostalgia in Chinese poetry, art, and music. The constant drumming of raindrops can evoke feelings of loneliness or longing for home. Countless ancient poems and modern pop songs use a 雨天 as the backdrop for heartbreak or quiet reflection. This duality is key: a 雨天 isn't just a meteorological event. It can be a farmer's hope, a poet's sorrow, or simply a cozy day to stay indoors. This contrasts with the often more uniformly negative connotation in English, where a “rainy day fund” is specifically for emergencies or bad times.

雨天 (yǔtiān) is a high-frequency word used in everyday situations.

• Discussing Weather: This is its most common and literal use. You'll hear it constantly in weather forecasts and daily small talk.
  • e.g., “天气预报说明天是雨天。” (The weather forecast says tomorrow will be a rainy day.)
• Making or Cancelling Plans: A rainy day is a common reason to change activities.
  • e.g., “因为是雨天，我们的野餐取消了。” (Because it's a rainy day, our picnic is cancelled.)
• Describing a Mood: While often used literally, the context can imply a gloomy or quiet mood.
  • e.g., “我喜欢雨天，很安静。” (I like rainy days, they are very peaceful.)

Its connotation is generally neutral and descriptive. It only becomes positive or negative based on the speaker's feelings about the rain's consequences (e.g., cancelling a fun outdoor event vs. getting much-needed water for crops).

• Example 1:
  • 今天是雨天。
  • Pinyin: Jīntiān shì yǔtiān.
  • English: Today is a rainy day.
  • Analysis: The most basic and common sentence structure. `是 (shì)` is used to equate “today” with the noun “rainy day.”
• Example 2:
  • 我不喜欢雨天，出门不方便。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ bù xǐhuān yǔtiān, chūmén bù fāngbiàn.
  • English: I don't like rainy days, it's inconvenient to go out.
  • Analysis: A great example of giving a reason. `不方便 (bù fāngbiàn)` is a very common phrase to use when talking about the downsides of a rainy day.
• Example 3:
  • 雨天的时候，我喜欢在家看书。
  • Pinyin: Yǔtiān de shíhou, wǒ xǐhuān zài jiā kàn shū.
  • English: On rainy days, I like to read books at home.
  • Analysis: `…的时候 (…de shíhou)` is a key pattern meaning “when…” or “during…”. It's used here to describe a habitual action on rainy days.
• Example 4:
  • 天气预报说明天是个大雨天。
  • Pinyin: Tiānqì yùbào shuō míngtiān shì ge dà yǔtiān.
  • English: The weather forecast says tomorrow will be a day of heavy rain.
  • Analysis: Adjectives like `大 (dà - big)` or `小 (xiǎo - small)` can be placed before 雨天 to describe the intensity of the rain.
• Example 5:
  • 因为是雨天，路上的车特别多。
  • Pinyin: Yīnwèi shì yǔtiān, lùshang de chē tèbié duō.
  • English: Because it's a rainy day, the traffic on the road is especially heavy.
  • Analysis: `因为 (yīnwèi)` introduces the reason. This is a very practical sentence for anyone living in a modern Chinese city.
• Example 6:
  • 你喜欢雨天还是晴天？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ xǐhuān yǔtiān háishì qíngtiān?
  • English: Do you like rainy days or sunny days?
  • Analysis: A classic “A or B” question using `还是 (háishì)`. `晴天 (qíngtiān)` is the direct opposite of 雨天.
• Example 7:
  • 雨天开车要小心一点。
  • Pinyin: Yǔtiān kāichē yào xiǎoxīn yīdiǎn.
  • English: You need to be a bit more careful when driving on a rainy day.
  • Analysis: This sentence gives a piece of advice. `要 (yào)` here means “need to” or “should.”
• Example 8:
  • 连续下了三天雨，我真受不了这样的雨天。
  • Pinyin: Liánxù xiàle sān tiān yǔ, wǒ zhēn shòubuliǎo zhèyàng de yǔtiān.
  • English: It has rained for three days straight, I really can't stand this kind of rainy weather.
  • Analysis: This shows how 雨天 can refer to the general condition of “rainy weather,” not just a single day. `受不了 (shòubuliǎo)` means “can't stand” or “can't bear.”
• Example 9:
  • 我记得我们第一次见面就是一个雨天。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ jìde wǒmen dì yī cì jiànmiàn jiùshì yī ge yǔtiān.
  • English: I remember the first time we met was on a rainy day.
  • Analysis: A more romantic or nostalgic use of the term. `就 (jiù)` adds emphasis here.
• Example 10:
  • 雨天别忘了带雨伞。
  • Pinyin: Yǔtiān bié wàngle dài yǔsǎn.
  • English: Don't forget to bring an umbrella on a rainy day.
  • Analysis: A simple, practical reminder. `别忘了 (bié wàngle)` is the command “don't forget.”

The single most common mistake for beginners is confusing the noun 雨天 (yǔtiān) with the verb 下雨 (xià yǔ).

• 雨天 (yǔtiān) is a noun. It means “a rainy day.” It describes the state of the day.
• 下雨 (xià yǔ) is a verb-object phrase. It means “to rain.” It describes the action of raining.

Think of it like this:

• You can say “Today is a rainy day.” → 今天是雨天。 (Jīntiān shì yǔtiān.)
• You can say “It is raining today.” → 今天在下雨。 (Jīntiān zài xià yǔ.) or 今天下雨了。(Jīntiān xià yǔ le.)

INCORRECT Usage:

• `今天下雨天。` (Jīntiān xià yǔ tiān.) - This is redundant and grammatically wrong.
• `今天雨天了。` (Jīntiān yǔtiān le.) - This is incorrect. You don't use `了 (le)` with the noun `雨天` in this way. You use it with the verb `下雨` to indicate the action has occurred.

Rule of thumb: If you would say “rainy day” in English, use 雨天 (yǔtiān). If you would say “(it) rains” or “(it) is raining,” use 下雨 (xià yǔ).

• 下雨 (xià yǔ) - The verb “to rain.” The most crucial related term to distinguish from 雨天.
• 天气 (tiānqì) - Weather. The general category that 雨天 falls under.
• 晴天 (qíngtiān) - Sunny day. The direct antonym of 雨天.
• 阴天 (yīntiān) - Overcast / cloudy day. Another common type of weather.
• 雨伞 (yǔsǎn) - Umbrella. An object you need on a 雨天.
• 雨衣 (yǔyī) - Raincoat. Another essential item for a rainy day.
• 暴雨 (bàoyǔ) - Rainstorm. A more intense and specific type of rainy weather.
• 阵雨 (zhènyǔ) - Rain shower. A short, intermittent period of rain.
• 毛毛雨 (máomaoyǔ) - Drizzle / light rain. Literally “hairy rain.”
• 多云 (duōyún) - Partly cloudy. A state between 晴天 and 阴天.