Entry
そぼそぼ
sobosobo
そぼそぼ describes weak, light rain falling steadily, often evoking a quiet or gloomy feeling.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
そぼそぼ refers to the state of rain falling weakly and continuously in a quiet drizzle. Unlike refreshing rain, it carries a subdued, slightly dreary, or lonely nuance, frequently associated with cold or autumn rain.
- light drizzle
- gloomy rain
Sense Map
Weak Drizzle (Weather)
Describes the physical state of rain falling lightly and steadily, without much force.
雨がそぼそぼと降っている。
Dreary Atmosphere (Mood)
Focuses on the quiet, subdued, and somewhat lonely or gloomy atmosphere created by endless light rain.
そぼそぼ降る冷たい雨。
Usage Note
How to Use
そぼそぼと + verb
Used as an adverb with the particle と to describe how it rains, most commonly with the verb 降る (to fall).
そぼそぼ + verb
The particle と can be omitted in casual speech or writing while keeping the same adverbial meaning.
How to Use
Common Phrases
そぼそぼと降る
to fall in a drizzle
雨がそぼそぼ
rain is drizzling
そぼそぼ降る雨
drizzling rain
秋雨がそぼそぼと
autumn rain drizzling
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Describing the rain | neutral to negative | Emphasizes that the rain is weak, continuous, and lacks force. |
| Expressing mood | negative | Often used in literature or daily conversation to convey a sense of melancholy, coldness, or loneliness, especially with autumn rain. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
しとしと しとしと / contrast | Use しとしと for a quiet, gentle rain that often feels calming, peaceful, or refreshing. | そぼそぼ feels weaker and has a gloomier, drearier, or lonelier nuance. | 雨がしとしとと降る。 |
しょぼしょぼ しょぼしょぼ / similar | Use しょぼしょぼ to describe weak, continuous rain with a sad feel, or for tired, blinking eyes. | そぼそぼ is almost exclusively used for rain, while しょぼしょぼ is strongly associated with tired eyes or a generally pathetic state. | 目がしょぼしょぼする。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe a heavy or sudden downpour.
そぼそぼ is only for weak, light, and continuous rain. Use ザーザー for heavy rain.
Using it to describe a refreshing spring rain.
そぼそぼ carries a gloomy, subdued, or lonely tone. Use しとしと for a pleasant, quiet rain.
Examples
Examples
暗い空から、雨がそぼそぼと降っている。
暗い(くらい)空(そら)から、雨(あめ)がそぼそぼと降って(ふって)いる。
Rain is drizzling weakly from the dark sky.
VisualEmphasizes the weak nature of the rain.
窓の外では、秋の雨がそぼそぼ降っていた。
窓(まど)の外(そと)では、秋(あき)の雨(あめ)がそぼそぼ降って(ふって)いた。
Outside the window, the autumn rain was falling in a dreary drizzle.
VisualAutumn is often associated with this dreary drizzle.
今日は一日中、そぼそぼと雨が降り続いている。
今日(きょう)は一日中(いちにちじゅう)、そぼそぼと雨(あめ)が降り続いて(ふりつづいて)いる。
It has been drizzling continuously all day today.
VisualShows a long-lasting drizzle without stopping.
彼はそぼそぼと降る雨の中を一人で歩いた。
彼(かれ)はそぼそぼと降る(ふる)雨(あめ)の中(なか)を一人(ひとり)で歩いた(あるいた)。
He walked alone in the quietly drizzling rain.
VisualHighlights the lonely atmosphere of the scene.
そぼそぼ降る冷たい雨が、寂しさをより一層深めた。
そぼそぼ降る(ふる)冷たい(つめたい)雨(あめ)が、寂しさ(さびしさ)をより一層(いっそう)深めた(ふかめた)。
The cold, drizzling rain deepened the sense of loneliness even more.
FigurativeThe weak drizzle metaphorically reflects melancholic emotions.
Similar Words
しとしと
shitoshito
Describes light rain falling quietly and continuously, or a state of being mildly damp. A calmer, more pleasant and refreshing gentle rain compared to the gloomy そぼそぼ.
しょぼしょぼ
shoboshobo
Shoboshobo describes a weak, energy-lacking state, such as tired eyes blinking, persistent weak drizzle, or walking despondently. Describes a similarly weak rain, but can also be used for tired eyes or a generally pathetic state.
Questions
What is the difference between そぼそぼ and しとしと?
Both describe quiet, light rain. However, しとしと has a more neutral or peaceful tone (like gentle spring rain), whereas そぼそぼ has a gloomier, drearier, and lonelier feel.
Can I use そぼそぼ to describe snow?
No, そぼそぼ is used specifically for rain. For snow falling quietly, you would use words like しんしん.
Is そぼそぼ used for tired eyes?
No. While the similar-sounding word しょぼしょぼ is often used for tired or dry eyes, そぼそぼ is strictly used for rain.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2581160
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- Needs review
- Active language
- English
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