小雨(こさめ)

小雨(こさめ) means light rain or drizzle - gentle rainfall that doesn't require shelter or heavy rain gear.

Rain intensity scale

• 霧雨(きりさめ): fine mist, very light drizzle
• 小雨(こさめ): light rain, drizzle
• 雨(あめ): rain (general)
• 大雨(おおあめ): heavy rain
• 豪雨(ごうう): torrential rain, downpour

Common expressions

• 小雨(こさめ)が降(ふ)る: to drizzle
• 小雨(こさめ)程度(ていど): just light rain (used to indicate something will proceed despite rain)
• 小雨(こさめ)決行(けっこう): will proceed even in light rain (event announcements)

Weather forecast usage

小雨(こさめ) appears frequently in forecasts. 小雨(こさめ)なら傘(かさ)はいらない is a common sentiment (no umbrella needed for drizzle).