降水量

• Reading: こうすいりょう
• Romaji: kousuiryou
• Kanji breakdown: 降 (kō) — descend, fall; 水 (sui) — water; 量 (ryō) — quantity, amount
• Pronunciation: /koː.sɯi.ɾʲoː/

Meaning

Amount of precipitation; rainfall. The measured volume of rain, snow, or other precipitation.

A technical/meteorological noun for the total amount of water that falls as rain, snow, sleet, or hail, measured in millimetres. Commonly heard in weather forecasts, geography classes, and climate discussions. Common phrases: 年間降水量 (annual precipitation), 降水量が多い (heavy precipitation). Related terms: 降水確率 (chance of precipitation).

Examples

1. 今年の夏は降水量が例年より少なかった。 Rainfall this summer was lower than average.
2. 日本は世界的に見ても降水量が多い国だ。 Japan is a country with high levels of precipitation by global standards.
3. 天気予報で明日の降水量を確認しておこう。 Let's check tomorrow's expected rainfall in the weather forecast.

Usage Guide

Context: weather, geography, climate

Tone: informational

Origin & History

Compound of 降水 (precipitation, falling water) + 量 (quantity, amount). 降 means to descend/fall and 水 means water.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal