雷 雲(らいうん)

らいうん

noun

thundercloud

1. thundercloud; cumulonimbus cloud that produces lightning

A large, dark cloud that generates thunder and lightning, typically accompanied by heavy rain. Technically a type of cumulonimbus cloud.

西(にし)の空(そら)に雷雲(らいうん)が見(み)える。

I can see thunderclouds in the western sky.

雷雲(らいうん)が近(ちか)づいてきたので、外(そと)に出(で)ないほうがいい。

Thunderclouds are approaching, so you'd better stay inside.

夏(なつ)の午後(ごご)になると雷雲(らいうん)が発達(はったつ)しやすく、突然(とつぜん)の雷雨(らいう)になることがある。

On summer afternoons, thunderclouds tend to develop easily, sometimes leading to sudden thunderstorms.

A compound of 雷(らい) (thunder/lightning) + 雲(うん) (cloud). Commonly encountered in weather forecasts and everyday conversation about storms, especially during Japan's hot, humid summers when afternoon thunderstorms are frequent.

Common collocations

雷雲(らいうん)が発達(はったつ)する: thunderclouds develop
雷雲(らいうん)が近(ちか)づく: thunderclouds approach
雷雲(らいうん)が広(ひろ)がる: thunderclouds spread
雷雲(らいうん)の下(した): under the thunderclouds

Related words

積乱雲(せきらんうん): cumulonimbus (the meteorological term for the cloud type)
入道雲(にゅうどうぐも): towering cumulus cloud (everyday name for large summer clouds)
雷(かみなり): thunder; lightning
雷雨(らいう): thunderstorm

Related Words

Related: 積乱雲(せきらんうん) (cumulonimbus)

Related: 入道雲(にゅうどうぐも) (towering cumulus cloud)

Related: 雷雨(らいう) (thunderstorm)

Related: 雨雲(あまぐも) (rain cloud)

general

Added 2026.5.8 0:20 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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