What Is “Zaa Zaa”? The Japanese Sound of Pouring Rain

Ever watched the rain fall so hard that it drowns out all other sounds?

Or felt that steady rhythm of a downpour on your umbrella or window?

That’s when the Japanese onomatopoeia “Zaa Zaa” comes in — a sound full of heavy rain, strong flow, and atmospheric noise.

What is “Zaa Zaa” (ざぁざぁ / ざーざー) ?

“Zaa Zaa” is a Japanese onomatopoeia that expresses the sound of continuous, intense rain or water.

It represents a kind of non-stop downpour — steady, loud, and unrelenting.

It’s not just about volume — it conveys the texture and presence of rain, filling the whole space with sound and feeling.

Pronunciation

zah zah
(Say it with weight and rhythm — like heavy raindrops hitting the ground one after another)

Categories

Sound / Atmosphere / Condition

Examples in Daily Life

Example 1: A rainy walk to school

The sky turned grey,
umbrellas popped open,
and the rain began to fall —
zaa zaa…

Example 2: Listening to the rain from bed

She lay under the covers,
watching droplets stream down the window,
the outside world humming softly —
zaa zaa…

Cultural Note

In English, we might say:

• “It’s pouring.”
• “It’s coming down hard.”
• “Rain’s beating down.”

But in Japanese, “zaa zaa” captures not only the sound but the mood of rain.
It’s used to describe both literal rainfall and the background atmosphere it creates.

You’ll hear it in anime, kids’ books, and everyday conversations — especially when describing a rainy scene that sticks in your memory.

How Do You Say It?

Say it with rhythm, like drops falling on a tin roof:
Zaa… zaa…
Let it roll like a gentle storm through your chest.

What Does “Zaa Zaa” Look Like?

It looks like:

• Water running off an umbrella
• Big raindrops bouncing in puddles
• A kid stomping through the street in yellow boots

It’s the look of intensity, rhythm, and nature’s soundscape.

Watch & Feel the “Zaa Zaa” World!

Feel the “Zaa Zaa” — The Power of Pouring Rain

Step into a world where everything is soaked in rhythm.
Where silence disappears under the steady beat of the rain.
That’s the “zaa zaa” feeling — full, loud, and atmospheric.

Try Using It!

• When it suddenly starts raining hard
• When your umbrella can’t quite keep up
• When you feel like the world has turned to water

Say it with awe, or maybe a sigh:
Zaa zaa〜