“It’s really raining out there.” Aside from learning basic phrases or vocabulary that can help you with self introduction, numbers, and colors; learning how to talk about the weather is one of the first things people will learn. And if you happen to be in a country that has seasonal changes throughout the year, like it does here in Japan, you can be nearly certain that your neighbors will bring up the weather when you see them. If you happen to be going through a particular season which most people dislike, hearing things like, “It’s so nice to have some sun, though the humidity is a bit high.” So why do we do this?
「外すごく降ってるね。」自己紹介で使われるフレーズ、数字、色などの単語以外に、、天気に関しての会話は一番最初に習うものかもしれません。とくに日本みたいに季節がしょっちゅう変わる国に住んでいると、近所の方と話すときによく天候の話になりますね。多くの人が嫌がる季節を通ってるとき、よくこのよなコメントを耳にします：「晴れてよかったけど、蒸し暑いね。」なぜ天気の話が人気あるのでしょうか？
Although we live in a society where most of us do not rely on good weather in order to work, and we may sit in offices with climate control, we are all in the end subjugated to how the weather is on a given day. Just this morning I was walking from the station to my house in a small deluge, the wind caught my umbrella and for three seconds I reconsidered my decision to walk as I had to clench my umbrella as it was nearly taken away by a strong wind, which caused it to fold inside out. For the most part we are able to isolate ourselves from the elements, but sometimes they become too much and we have to admit that weather does effect us. It’s not all negative though, by any means. There are seasons which are exceptionally well liked and this is seen when people fill the streets, parks, and beaches all while they fill their stomaches with food and drink acquired from those who line these aforementioned destinations. Most people like to be outdoors, and when the rain has stopped, the sun is shining, and it’s not too humid, people love to be out and about. When it’s cool and snow is underfoot friends will gather together and embrace the chill air as they meander their way past tall glass windows displaying treats and other goodies till they stop to take pictures of the fallen snow upon the bare tree branches.
現在の社会では、天気がどうであってもそれほど仕事には影響ないかもしれません。オフィスの中で働いたりします。ただ、どんな人でもどこかで天気にむか合わなければならないですね。例えば、今朝そんなこともありました。大雨の中で駅から家まで歩こうとしていました。歩きながら、一瞬傘が風邪に吹き飛ばされそうになり裏がされました。本当歩いてよかったのかなと疑いました。多くの場合、天気の様々の問題から避けようとしますが、どこかで影響されますね。だからとしていつも悪いことではありません。
ある季節ははみんなが好きで、大勢の人が道、公園、海などに集まります。美味しい食べ物や飲み物を召し上がりながら楽しみます。割とみんなは外にいくのが好きで、雨が上がって太陽が出て、蒸し暑くなければ人々は外出するのが好きでしょう。
寒くて雪が降ってるときでさえ、暖かくしてから友達と寒さの中を散歩しながらお店の商品をみたり木の枝に積もった雪の写真などをとる姿も見るでしょう。
So enjoy these seasons of change, each with its unique flavor, sights, and sounds. So the next time someone asks you about the weather you can say, “There’s been and will be better.”
みなさまも色んな季節の独特な味、風景、そして音を楽しんで見ましょう！次回誰かに天気のことを聞かれたら、「これからまた良い天気になりますよ！」と言ってみよう。