Proverb / Kotowaza
朝焼けは雨、夕焼けは晴れ
A proverb used to predict the weather: a red sky in the morning suggests rain, while a red sky in the evening suggests fair weather.
A morning glow means rain; an evening glow means clear weather.
Quick Answer
A proverb used to predict the weather: a red sky in the morning suggests rain, while a red sky in the evening suggests fair weather.
- Literal Image
- A morning glow means rain; an evening glow means clear weather.
- Closest Equivalent
- Red sky at night, shepherd’s delight; red sky in the morning, shepherd’s warning.
- How to Use It
- Used when observing the sky at dawn or dusk to predict the weather for the coming hours or the following day.
Meaning
This expression is a traditional method of weather forecasting based on natural observation. It suggests that a bright red sky in the morning indicates that rain clouds are approaching from the west, whereas a red sky at sunset indicates that the weather to the west is clear, promising a sunny day to follow.
Literal Image
A morning glow means rain; an evening glow means clear weather.
Equivalent Proverbs
Red sky at night, shepherd’s delight; red sky in the morning, shepherd’s warning.
A direct English equivalent with the same imagery and meaning.
How to Use It
Used when observing the sky at dawn or dusk to predict the weather for the coming hours or the following day.
Tone
A neutral, informative observation based on experience.
Examples
「朝焼けは雨、夕焼けは晴れ」というように、昨日の夕焼けが美しかったから、今日はいい天気だ
Just as the saying goes, 'morning glow brings rain, evening glow brings sun,' since yesterday's sunset was beautiful, the weather is great today.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The vocabulary consists of basic weather terms (ame, hare) and compound words (asayake, yuyake). The grammar is a simple comparison using the particle 'wa'.
朝焼け
あさやけ / asayake
morning glow; sunrise
夕焼け
ゆうやけ / yuyake
evening glow; sunset
雨
あめ / ame
rain
晴れ
はれ / hare
clear weather; sunny
Usage Profile
Usage note: This is an empirical observation and not a scientific guarantee of weather.
Misread Risk
Ensure the distinction between morning (asayake) and evening (yuyake) is clear, as the predictions are opposites.
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Origin
This is an empirical rule born from meteorological observation. The sky appears red due to the refraction and scattering of light by water vapor and dust in the air. In Japan, where weather patterns move from west to east, a morning glow indicates that rain clouds are approaching from the west. Conversely, an evening glow indicates that the sky to the west is clear.
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