Entry
ザーザー
zaazaa
The continuous sound of heavy rain pouring down, forcefully rushing water, or white noise from an electronic device.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
A Japanese mimetic word (onomatopoeia) most commonly used to describe the loud, continuous sound of heavy rain or water flowing vigorously in large amounts. It is also widely used to mimic the sound of electronic static, such as white noise from an untuned radio or a television with no signal.
- Continuous heavy, pouring rain.
- Water flowing or spraying abundantly.
- Static or white noise from electronics.
Sense Map
Heavy Rain
Describes heavy rain that is pouring down continuously and loudly.
雨がザーザー降る
Rushing Water
Describes a large volume of water flowing, rushing, or spraying strongly.
水がザーザー流れる
Static/White Noise
Describes the continuous buzzing or hissing sound of static from devices like TVs or radios.
テレビがザーザー鳴る
Usage Note
How to Use
ザーザー降る
The most common pattern, pairing specifically with 'furu' (to fall) to mean 'to rain heavily/to pour'.
ザーザー（と）流れる
ザーザー鳴る
ザーザーいう
How to Use
Common Phrases
ザーザー降る
to rain heavily / to pour
ザーザー降り
a heavy downpour (as a noun)
水がザーザー
water running abundantly
テレビがザーザー
TV showing/sounding static
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Rainy weather | neutral to negative | Indicates heavy precipitation, often implying the weather is too bad to go outside without getting soaked. |
| Electronics | negative | Refers to the irritating static noise when a broadcast signal is lost. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
じゃあじゃあ じゃあじゃあ / similar | Used for loud, splashing water gushing from an artificial source like a faucet, hose, or drain. | Not used for natural rain falling from the sky, and cannot be used for electronic static. | 水道の水がじゃあじゃあ出ている。 |
ざあっ ざあっ / similar | Used for a sudden, brief burst of heavy rain or splashing water. | Expresses a sudden start or short burst, whereas ザーザー emphasizes the continuous, ongoing nature of the sound. | ざあっと雨が降り出した。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ザーザー for light rain or drizzle.
For light, quiet rain, use シトシト (shitoshito). ザーザー is strictly for loud, heavy rain.
Using ザーザー for howling wind.
The sound of strong wind is ビュービュー (byuubyuu). ザーザー is for water or static noise.
Examples
Examples
外は雨がザーザー降っているから、今日は出かけない方がいいよ。
そとは あめが ザーザー ふっている から、 きょうは でかけない ほうが いいよ。
It's pouring rain outside, so it's better not to go out today.
LiteralThe most common usage describing heavy, noisy rainfall.
シャワーのお湯をザーザー出しっぱなしにしないでください。
シャワーの おゆを ザーザー だしっぱなしに しないで ください。
Please don't leave the hot shower water running heavily continuously.
LiteralDescribes a large volume of water forcefully flowing out.
アンテナが壊れたのか、テレビからザーザーと音がするだけだ。
アンテナが こわれたのか、 テレビから ザーザーと おとが する だけだ。
Maybe the antenna is broken; the TV is just making a static noise.
LiteralUsed for static/white noise from electronic devices.
ザーザー降りの雨の中、傘もささずに歩いている人がいる。
ザーザーぶりの あめの なか、 かさも ささずに あるいている ひとが いる。
There is someone walking without an umbrella in the pouring rain.
VisualUsing ザーザー降り (zaazaaburi) as a noun to mean a heavy downpour.
川の水がザーザーと音を立てて流れている。
かわの みずが ザーザーと おとを たてて ながれている。
The river water is rushing and making a loud flowing sound.
LiteralDescribes the loud sound of a large volume of water flowing in nature.
Similar Words
じゃあじゃあ
jaajaa
じゃあじゃあ describes the loud and continuous sound of a large volume of water gushing or pouring out. Both describe water, but じゃあじゃあ is for artificial strong water streams (faucet, hose), not natural rain.
ざあっ
zaa
The sound of a sudden, heavy downpour of rain or rushing water. Sound of a sudden burst of rain or a crashing wave. Focuses on a brief burst rather than continuous noise.
Questions
Can I use ザーザー for heavy snow?
No. Heavy, silent snowfall is usually しんしん (shinshin), and heavy, piling snow can be どかどか (dokadoka). ザーザー is exclusively for liquid precipitation.
What is the difference between ザーザー and シトシト?
Both describe rain, but ザーザー is heavy, loud, and pouring, while シトシト is light, gentle, and quiet (a drizzle).
Is 'ザーザー降り' a noun or a verb?
ザーザー降り (zaazaaburi) is a noun meaning 'a heavy downpour'. It is very common in everyday conversation.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1058910
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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