In China, weather is more than just small talk — it‘s one of the most natural and friendly ways to start a conversation. Whether you are chatting with a neighbor, a taxi driver, or a new friend, talking about the weather can make your interaction smoother and help you practice Chinese in daily life.
Here are the most useful weather expressions and how to use them in real conversations.
1. Start with “How‘s the Weather?”
Asking about the weather is the simplest way to begin a chat.
Core sentences:
Jīn tiān tiān qì zěn me yàng?
今天天气怎么样？
How’s the weather today?
Jīn tiān tiān qì hǎo ma?
今天天气好吗？
Is the weather good today?
Pro tip: After asking, you can follow up with your own feeling about the weather to keep the conversation going.
2. Talking About Sunny and Cloudy Days
These are the most common descriptions you‘ll need.
Core sentences:
Jīn tiān shì qíng tiān.
今天是晴天。
Today is sunny.
Jīn tiān duō yún.
今天多云。
Today is cloudy.
Useful follow-up:
Tiān qì zhēn hǎo!
天气真好！
The weather is really nice!
3. Rain and Snow
Rain and snow often bring natural topics for conversation, especially in daily life.
Core sentences:
Xià yǔ le.
下雨了。
It’s raining.
Xià xuě le.
下雪了。
It’s snowing.
Practical phrase:
Nǐ dài sǎn le ma?
你带伞了吗？
Did you bring an umbrella?
(Cultural tip: Asking about an umbrella is a common way to show care in Chinese daily life.)
4. Hot and Cold Weather
Describing how the temperature feels is useful both for chatting and for expressing your own needs.
Core sentences:
Jīn tiān hěn rè.
今天很热。
Today is very hot.
Jīn tiān hěn lěng.
今天很冷。
Today is very cold.
Follow-up:
Nǐ jué de lěng ma?
你觉得冷吗？
Do you feel cold?
Yào bù yào chuān wài tào?
要不要穿外套？
Do you want to wear a coat?
5. Seasonal Small Talk
Seasons are also common conversation topics, especially during transitions.
Core sentences:
Chūn tiān lái le.
春天来了。
Spring is here.
Qiū tiān hěn liáng kuai.
秋天很凉快。
Autumn is very cool and pleasant.
Pro tip: Complimenting the season is a safe way to keep conversations light and positive.
Talk Weather, Build Connections
Talking about weather in Chinese is more than just vocabulary practice — it‘s a bridge to daily conversations and natural friendships. With just a few simple phrases, you can connect with locals, show interest in their world, and practice your Chinese in real life.
At eChineseLearning, our native teachers not only teach you key phrases, but also guide you on when and how to use them naturally in conversations. From sunny days to rainy days, you‘ll learn to make small talk like a local.
📩 Book your free trial today, and turn your next “今天天气怎么样？” into a real conversation starter!
Quiz: Which of these is the MOST natural way to say “It‘s raining” in Chinese?
A. 下雨了 (Xià yǔ le)
B. 今天有水 (Jīn tiān yǒu shuǐ)
C.天气不好 (Tiān qì bù hǎo)
👉 Comment your answer below!
