靄(もや)

もや
noun
haze, mist
1. haze, mist, thin fog
A thin layer of suspended water droplets or particles that reduces visibility, lighter than fog. Meteorologically, visibility is reduced to 1-10 km.
Morning haze hangs over the lake.
The haze cleared and the mountain became visible.
The hazy landscape was fantastical.

Kanji: The kanji 靄(もや) is complex and often written in hiragana.

Similar words

  • 霧(きり) (fog) - visibility less than 1km, thicker than 靄(もや)
  • 靄(もや) (haze/mist) - visibility 1-10km
  • 霞(かすみ) (haze) - often used poetically, especially for spring haze

Meteorological note: In Japanese weather terminology, 靄(もや) specifically refers to reduced visibility between 1-10 km due to water droplets. When visibility drops below 1 km, it becomes 霧(きり) (fog).

Common collocations