Meaning and Usage
"晴天" (せいてん) literally means "fine weather" or "clear sky." It is commonly used to describe days with no clouds and bright sunshine, often implying pleasant outdoor conditions.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "晴天" in weather forecasts or when planning outdoor activities like picnics or sports. It also appears in idiomatic expressions such as "晴天の霹靂," which means a sudden, unexpected event or shock.
Collocations and Patterns
- 晴天が続く (せいてんがつづく): fine weather continues
- 晴天の霹靂 (せいてんのへきれき): a bolt from the blue, sudden shock
- 晴天に恵まれる (せいてんにめぐまれる): to be blessed with fine weather
Register and Nuance
"晴天" is a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is more common in written language, weather reports, and formal speech than casual conversation, where simpler words like "いい天気" might be preferred.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "晴天" with "快晴" (かいせい), which also means clear weather but emphasizes a completely cloudless sky. "晴天" can include some light clouds but generally means good weather overall.