天気 vs 天候
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 天気
Listen to 天候
| 天気 | 天候 |
|---|---|
TEN-ki noun | tenkō noun |
| weather | weather conditions; weather as a general phenomenon |
How they differ
"天候" is a more formal and broader term than "天気", often used in writing, reports, or forecasts. It sounds less casual and can refer to weather conditions in a slightly more abstract way.
When to use each
When to use 天気: Use "天気" in everyday conversation and when referring to ordinary daily weather.
When to use 天候: Use "天候" in formal contexts, such as news reports, documents, or when speaking about weather conditions in general.
Side-by-side examples
- 明日の天気はどうですか。
(How is tomorrow’s weather?) - 天候の悪化により、試合は中止されました。
(The match was canceled due to worsening weather conditions.)
Register & nuance: "天候" is more formal and less conversational than "天気".