(こうさ)

こうさ
noun
yellow dust; Asian dust
1. yellow sand; Asian dust
Fine sand and dust blown from the deserts of mainland Asia, especially China and Mongolia, that drifts over Japan mainly in spring, clouding the sky and settling on surfaces.
今日(きょう)黄砂(こうさ)がひどい。
The yellow dust is bad today.
黄砂(こうさ)(くるま)(よご)れてしまった。
My car got dirty from the yellow dust.
(はる)になると大陸(たいりく)から黄砂(こうさ)()んできて、(そら)がかすむ。
When spring comes, yellow dust blows in from the continent and hazes the sky.

A seasonal phenomenon of spring in Japan, treated as an air-quality and health concern alongside pollen. Often mentioned in weather forecasts.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 黄砂(こうさ)()ぶ: yellow dust blows in
  • 黄砂(こうさ)がひどい: the yellow dust is heavy
  • 黄砂(こうさ)対策(たいさく): measures against yellow dust