土砂降り

• Reading: どしゃぶり
• Romaji: doshaburi
• Kanji breakdown: 土 (do) — earth, soil; 砂 (sha) — sand; 降 (buri/furi) — fall, descend
• Pronunciation: /do.ɕa.bɯ.ɾi/

Meaning

Downpour; pouring rain; heavy rain. Extremely heavy rainfall.

A noun describing very heavy rain — heavier than 大雨 (ooame, heavy rain) and more vivid. The word evokes the image of dirt and sand (土砂) being washed down by the force of the rain. Very commonly used in everyday conversation and weather reports. Often appears in the pattern 土砂降りの雨 (doshaburi no ame) or 土砂降りになる (doshaburi ni naru, to start pouring).

Examples

1. 急に土砂降りになって、びしょ濡れになった。 It suddenly started pouring and I got soaked to the bone.
2. 土砂降りの中、傘もなく走って帰った。 I ran home in the pouring rain without an umbrella.
3. 午後から土砂降りの予報が出ている。 There's a forecast for heavy downpours starting in the afternoon.

Usage Guide

Context: weather, daily conversation, commuting

Tone: vivid

Origin & History

Compound of 土砂 (dosha, earth and sand) + 降り (buri/furi, falling). Literally 'earth-and-sand falling' — rain so heavy it seems to wash away the ground.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal