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Meaning of “It’s gonna snow a lot tomorrow” in Japanese
In Japanese, “明日(あした)は大雪(おおゆき)だ” literally means “It’s going to snow a lot tomorrow”, but it can also mean “It is so unlike you (to do such a nice thing)”. This expression is said ironically when someone does something nice that they usually don’t — the heavy snow is a metaphor for a rare event. This expression has been getting a little outdated and not commonly heard nowadays, but is still used playfully in Japanese anime/manga sometimes. Instead of 大雪 (おおゆき, heavy snow), 大雨 (おおあめ, “heavy rain”) is also used.
Example Sentence
(太郎の父): 太郎(たろう)が早朝(そうちょう)に勉強(べんきょう)しているって？ こりゃ明日は大雪だな！
(Taro’s father): Taro is studying early in the morning? Well then, it’s gonna snow a lot tomorrow! (≒ What a miracle/what happened to him!)
Other Languages
Interestingly, some of my followers/readers have mentioned that a similar figure of speech exists in other languages as well, which include Italian, French, Vietnamese, Sinhala, and Tamil (and probably more). According to them, the exact wordings are as follows:
- French: Il va neiger demain (“it will snow tomorrow”)
- Italian: Domani piove! (“It will rain tomorrow!”)
- Vietnamese: ngày mai trời mưa/ bão to (“it will rain/storm a lot tomorrow”)
- Sinhala: Heta nam wahinawa (“tomorrow will be rainy”)
- Tamil: நாளைக்கு மழை வரப்போகுது (naalaikku mazhai varappokuthu)
If your language also has a similar expression, please kindly let me know so that I can list it here!
See also
“The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?” Could Mean “I love You” in Japanese
Why “The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?” Could Mean “I love You” in Japanese
Yes, Takashi san
We also use it in Sri Lanka by same way.
Sinhala language ( language use by Sri Lankan ) > Heta nam wahinawa ( tomorrow will be rainy)
Thanks for letting me know! I’ve added it to the list in the post!
Yes, Takashi san
We also use it in Sri Lanka Tamil speakers ironically when someone does something nice that they usually don’t
we say in Tamil நாளைக்கு மழை வரப்போகுது
(naalaikku mazhai varappokuthu)
Thanks for sharing it! I’ve added it to the list!
I’m watching (with English subtitles) the Japanese drama “Ume-chan Sensei”. Out of the blue, someone said “Perhaps it will snow tomorrow”. I couldn’t understand why it was said. But thanks to your post here, it all makes sense now. Thank you!