ざあざあ

ざあざあ
adverb
pouring; heavily (rain)
1. pouring; heavily falling
Describes the sound and manner of heavy rain falling forcefully. Conveys intensity and volume.
雨(あめ)がざあざあ降(ふ)っている。
The rain is pouring down.
ざあざあ降(ふ)りの中(なか)を走(はし)って帰(かえ)った。
I ran home through the pouring rain.
外(そと)はざあざあ降(ふ)りだから、出(で)かけるのはやめよう。
It's pouring outside, so let's not go out.

ざあざあ is an onomatopoeia (擬音語(ぎおんご)) representing the sound of heavy, intense rain. The voiced consonant ざ conveys force and volume, making it one of the strongest rain-sound words.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • ざあざあ降(ふ)る: to pour (rain)
  • ざあざあ降(ふ)り: pouring rain (used as a noun modifier)
  • 雨(あめ)がざあざあ: rain is pouring

CONTRAST WITH OTHER RAIN WORDS:

  • ぽつぽつ: scattered, occasional drops (lightest)
  • しとしと: gentle, quiet, steady drizzle
  • ざあざあ: heavy, loud downpour
  • 土砂降(どしゃぶ)り: torrential downpour (strongest; a noun, not onomatopoeia)

USAGE:
Almost exclusively used with 雨(あめ) (rain) or 降(ふ)る (to fall). Can also describe the sound of running water, as in 水(みず)がざあざあ流(なが)れる (water gushing/flowing noisily).

Related Words

Contrast: しとしと (gentle rain)
general
Added 2026.1.16 23:51 · Revised 2026.3.28 13:11
05500/05886_zaazaa