How do I say 'it's raining'?
The standard rain statement — the 了 marks the change of state, making it natural and immediate.
下雨了
It's raining / it has started raining.
Rain has fallen.
It's raining / it has started raining.
WHEN IT FITS
Rain in Chinese has grammatical nuance that English lacks. The difference between 下雨了 and 在下雨 is the difference between “rain has started” and “rain is happening”:
- 下雨了 — the 了 marks a change of state. You look out the window and see rain that wasn’t there before. “Oh, it’s started raining.” This is the more common form in everyday speech.
- 在下雨 — the 在 marks ongoing action. The rain is in progress. This is what you say when someone asks about the weather right now.
The rain intensity scale: 毛毛雨 (drizzle), 小雨 (light rain), 中雨 (moderate rain), 大雨 (heavy rain), 暴雨 (torrential rain / downpour), 特大暴雨 (extreme rainstorm). The middle three are official weather report categories; in everyday speech, 下大了 (it’s gotten heavy) and 下小了 (it’s lightened up) are the practical descriptions.
带伞 (bring an umbrella) is the standard rain advice. Chinese convenience stores and subway stations sell emergency umbrellas during sudden rain — the phrase 买把伞 (buy an umbrella) is practically useful.
HOW PEOPLE ACTUALLY SAY IT
外面下雨了，带把伞吧。
It's raining outside — take an umbrella.
Practical warning下雨了，还去吗？
It's raining — are we still going?
Checking plansCHOOSE BY SITUATION
在下雨
It is raining (ongoing action).
Emphasizing the ongoing nature of the rain — it started and is continuing下大雨
Heavy rain / pouring.
The rain is significant enough to affect plans