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.
朝(あさ)の靄(もや)が湖(みずうみ)にかかっている。
Morning haze hangs over the lake.
靄(もや)が晴(は)れて山(やま)が見(み)えてきた。
The haze cleared and the mountain became visible.
靄(もや)のかかった風景(ふうけい)は幻想的(げんそうてき)だった。
The hazy landscape was fantastical.

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

WEATHER DISTINCTIONS:

  • 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:

  • 靄(もや)がかかる (haze/mist covers)
  • 靄(もや)が晴(は)れる (haze clears)
  • 靄(もや)に包(つつ)まれる (to be enveloped in mist)

Related Words

Related: 霙(みぞれ) (weather)
general
Added 2026.1.18 5:54 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06500/06506_moya