비 (bi) · 눈 (nun)
비 (bi) and 눈 (nun) both fall from the sky, but 비 is liquid rain while 눈 is solid ice crystals (snow).
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Water falling from the sky in liquid form
When to use
Everyday talk about rainy days, Weather forecast mentioning rain, Describing rainy weather
The nuance
비 falls when the temperature is above freezing, as liquid water droplets. Unlike 눈, 비 does not freeze and falls as rain.
Ice crystals falling from the sky in solid form
When to use
Talking about snowy days in winter, Describing snow accumulation, Weather forecast mentioning snow
The nuance
눈 falls when the temperature is below freezing, as solid ice crystals. Unlike 비, 눈 can accumulate on the ground.
오늘은 비가 많이 와서 우산을 챙겨야 해.
o-neul-eun bi-ga man-i wa-seo u-san-eul chaeng-gyeo-ya hae., o neul eun bi ga man i wa seo u san eul chaeng gyeo ya hae.
This sentence correctly describes rainy weather using 비.
오늘은 눈이 많이 와서 우산을 챙겨야 해.
o-neul-eun nun-i man-i wa-seo u-san-eul chaeng-gyeo-ya hae., o neul eun nun i man i wa seo u san eul chaeng gyeo ya hae.
When it snows, people usually prepare warm clothes rather than umbrellas; umbrella usage fits 비 better.
겨울에는 눈이 자주 와서 길이 미끄럽다.
gyeo-ul-e-neun nun-i ja-ju wa-seo gil-i mi-kkeu-reop-da., gyeo ul e neun nun i ja ju wa seo gil i mi kkeu reop da.
This correctly describes snow causing slippery roads.
겨울에는 비가 자주 와서 길이 미끄럽다.
gyeo-ul-e-neun bi-ga ja-ju wa-seo gil-i mi-kkeu-reop-da., gyeo ul e neun bi ga ja ju wa seo gil i mi kkeu reop da.
Frequent rain in winter is uncommon; slippery roads are usually due to snow.
비가 그치고 나서 공기가 상쾌해졌다.
bi-ga geu-chi-go na-seo gong-gi-ga sang-kwae-hae-jyeoss-da., bi ga geu chi go na seo gong gi ga sang kwae hae jyeoss da.
This naturally describes fresh air after rain.
눈이 그치고 나서 공기가 상쾌해졌다.
nun-i geu-chi-go na-seo gong-gi-ga sang-kwae-hae-jyeoss-da., nun i geu chi go na seo gong gi ga sang kwae hae jyeoss da.
This also naturally describes fresh air after snow.
비가 얼어붙어 길이 미끄럽다.
bi-ga eol-eo-but-eo gil-i mi-kkeu-reop-da., bi ga eol eo but eo gil i mi kkeu reop da.
Rain freezing is described as frost or ice patches, not as 비 freezing; snow is the usual cause of slippery roads.
눈이 녹아서 길이 젖었다.
nun-i nok-a-seo gil-i jeoj-eoss-da., nun i nok a seo gil i jeoj eoss da.
This correctly describes snow melting and wet roads.
Which falls when the temperature is above freezing?
Which is incorrect about 눈?
Which is appropriate when it rains?
What does it mean?
