1.
raindrops falling from eaves or rooftops; dripping rain
Water dripping from the edge of a roof or eaves during or after rain. Can also refer to the sound or traces left by such dripping. Written as 雨垂れ in full kanji. A word with poetic and seasonal associations.
軒先から雨だれが落ちている。
Raindrops are dripping from the eaves.
雨だれの音を聞きながら眠りについた。
I fell asleep listening to the sound of dripping rain.
雨だれ石を穿つ、という諺がある。
There is a proverb that says 'raindrops wear through stone.'
USAGE:
雨だれ has a gentle, atmospheric quality and often appears in literary descriptions of rainy days. The proverb 雨だれ石を穿つ (raindrops wear through stone) is the Japanese equivalent of 'constant dripping wears away the stone,' meaning persistence overcomes any obstacle.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 雨だれの音 (the sound of dripping rain)
- 雨だれが落ちる (raindrops fall/drip)
- 雨だれ石を穿つ (constant effort brings results — proverb)
SIMILAR WORDS:
雨粒 (raindrop) refers to individual drops of rain falling from the sky, while 雨だれ specifically means water dripping from eaves or a roof edge.