Korean word

폭우

Pronunciation

Romanizationpogu

Meaning

  • nounheavy rain

Example

폭우가 내렸어요.po gu ga nae ryeo sseo yo

Heavy rain fell.

Illustration for 폭우 (heavy rain)

More examples

폭우로 인해 지하철 운행이 멈췄어요.po gu ro in hae chi ha cheol un haeng i meom chwo sseo yo

The subway stopped running because of the heavy rain.

Core concept

A sudden, powerful downpour that sends a large amount of rain onto the ground in a short time.

Common phrases

  • 폭우가 내리다po gu ga nae ri da

    heavy rain falls

  • 폭우가 쏟아지다po gu ga sso da ji da

    heavy rain pours down

Similar words

호우hou: An official weather term for very heavy rain used in reports and news.
장대비changdaebi: An intense sheet of rain falling with great force.
소나기sonagi: A sudden shower in one area that ends soon.

Definition in Korean

짧은 시간에 세차게 많이 내리는 비를 이르는 말jjal beun si ga ne se cha ge ma ni nae ri neun pi reul i reu neun mal

Word origin

This Sino-Korean compound combines words meaning violent and rain, so its form points to rain falling with great force.

Usage tips

  • English speakers can use heavy rain broadly, but this word is especially useful for describing a sudden downpour that disrupts travel or outdoor plans.

Opposites

Related words

  • 폭우주의보pogujuuiboheavy rain advisorynoun
  • 폭우경보pogugyeongboheavy rain warningnoun
  • 폭우피해pogupihaeheavy rain damagenoun

Word lists with this word