土砂降(どしゃぶ)り

Describes extremely heavy rainfall — a downpour.

Etymology

土砂(どしゃ) (earth and sand) + 降(ふ)り (falling). Evokes rain so heavy it seems like earth and sand are falling from the sky.

Common patterns

• 土砂降(どしゃぶ)りの雨(あめ): pouring rain
• 土砂降(どしゃぶ)りになる: to start pouring
• 土砂降(どしゃぶ)りに遭(あ)う: to get caught in a downpour

INTENSITY SCALE (rain):
小雨(こさめ) (drizzle) → 雨(あめ) (rain) → 大雨(おおあめ) (heavy rain) → 土砂降(どしゃぶ)り (downpour) → 豪雨(ごうう) (torrential rain, often causing damage)