霧
A weather phenomenon consisting of tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere near the earth's surface that obscures or restricts visibility. It is commonly used to describe the white, cloud-like condition that appears on mountains or during early mornings.
Examples
3 of 5霧が深くて、道がよく見えません。
The fog is so thick that I can't see the road well.
濃霧のため、高速道路は通行止めになりました。
Due to heavy fog, the expressway has been closed to traffic.
うわ、霧ですごい真っ白だね！
Wow, it's completely white out here because of the fog!
Word Family
Memory Tip
Look at the top of the kanji: 雨 means rain. The bottom part 務 means a task. Think of fog as the 'rain's task' that didn't quite finish reaching the ground.
Quick Quiz
今朝は___が深くて、遠くの山が見えません。
Correct!
The correct answer is: 霧
Examples
霧が深くて、道がよく見えません。
everydayThe fog is so thick that I can't see the road well.
濃霧のため、高速道路は通行止めになりました。
formalDue to heavy fog, the expressway has been closed to traffic.
うわ、霧ですごい真っ白だね！
informalWow, it's completely white out here because of the fog!
霧の発生条件には、湿度と気温の変化が大きく関わっている。
academicChanges in humidity and temperature are significantly involved in the conditions for fog formation.
霧による視界不良のため、到着が遅れる可能性がございます。
businessArrival may be delayed due to poor visibility caused by fog.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
五里霧中
to be totally at sea; lost in a fog
霧の中
in the fog (often used figuratively for uncertainty)
霧を吹く
to spray a mist
Often Confused With
Moya (mist) is lighter than Kiri (fog); Kiri is used when visibility is less than 1km.
Kasumi (haze) is a poetic term used specifically in spring, whereas Kiri is a meteorological term.
Usage Notes
Kiri is a general term used for weather. When describing very thick fog, the kanji for 'thick' (濃) is often added to make 'noumu' (濃霧).
Common Mistakes
Beginners sometimes use 'kiri' for smoke (kemuri) from a fire. Remember that 'kiri' is always related to water/weather.
Memory Tip
Look at the top of the kanji: 雨 means rain. The bottom part 務 means a task. Think of fog as the 'rain's task' that didn't quite finish reaching the ground.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old Japanese word 'kiri', possibly sharing a root with 'kiru' (to cut/separate), referring to how fog cuts off the view.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
Fog is a frequent motif in Japanese traditional landscape paintings (sansuiga) and Haiku to represent mystery and the changing seasons.
Quick Quiz
今朝は___が深くて、遠くの山が見えません。
Correct!
The correct answer is: 霧
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
協力
A1Cooperation or collaboration where two or more people combine their efforts to achieve a common goal. It is used in both personal and professional settings to describe working together as a team or providing assistance.
提案
A1A suggestion or proposal of a plan or idea for others to consider. It is used in both casual conversations and professional meetings to introduce a potential course of action.
輸出
A1The act of sending goods or services produced in one country to another country for sale or trade. In Japanese, it functions as a noun and a suru-verb, representing the 'exit' of products from a domestic market.
輸入
A1The act of bringing goods, services, or materials into a country from abroad for sale or use. In Japanese, it functions as a noun or can be combined with 'suru' to become a verb meaning 'to import'.
資源
A1Shigen refers to valuable materials or assets, such as natural minerals, energy sources, or human talent, that can be used for production or survival. It is widely used in economics, environmental science, and daily life to describe both raw materials and abstract wealth.
保護
A1The act of keeping someone or something safe from harm, damage, or loss by providing care or creating boundaries. It is a versatile term in Japanese used for social welfare, environmental conservation, and digital security.
観察
A1Observation is the act of watching someone or something carefully in order to gain information or understand a process. It is frequently used in scientific studies, nature analysis, and describing the act of paying close attention to details.
競争
A1Kyousou refers to the act of competing or vying with others to achieve a goal, win a prize, or establish superiority. It is a versatile term used in sports, business, and academics to describe both structured contests and general rivalry.
拡大
A1The act of making something larger in size, scale, or scope. It is frequently used for physical enlargement (like a photo) or abstract growth (like a business or a problem).
製造
A1The process of making or producing goods, typically on a large scale using machinery. It refers specifically to industrial manufacturing rather than making things by hand on a small scale.
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