How to Say “Terrible weather today” in Chinese
Small talk and travel · HSK 3
"Terrible weather today" in Chinese is 今天天气真糟糕 (jīntiān tiānqì zhēn zāogāo). Weather is the go-to small-talk opener in China, especially in elevators, taxis, or waiting for the 外卖 (delivery) guy. 糟糕 (zāogāo) literally means 'smashed cake' and is a common way to say 'awful/terrible'; it's expressive without being rude.
Primary translation
今天天气真糟糕
jīntiān tiānqì zhēn zāogāo
Traditional: 今天天氣真糟糕
Variants by register
Casual
今天天气太差了
jīntiān tiānqì tài chà le
When to use it
Weather is the go-to small-talk opener in China, especially in elevators, taxis, or waiting for the 外卖 (delivery) guy. 糟糕 (zāogāo) literally means 'smashed cake' and is a common way to say 'awful/terrible'; it's expressive without being rude. In Beijing you'll hear this constantly about 雾霾 (wùmái, smog); in the south it's more often 闷热 (mēnrè, muggy heat). Younger people and Southerners lean toward 太差了 (tài chà le) or 好烂 (hǎo làn) in casual chat. 真 (zhēn, really) intensifies the feeling naturally.
Example sentences
今天天气真糟糕，又下雨又刮风。
Jīntiān tiānqì zhēn zāogāo, yòu xià yǔ yòu guā fēng.
The weather today is terrible; raining and windy.
这种糟糕的天气最好别出门。
Zhè zhǒng zāogāo de tiānqì zuì hǎo bié chūmén.
With weather this bad, it's best not to go out.
天气太差了，航班肯定要延误。
Tiānqì tài chà le, hángbān kěndìng yào yánwù.
The weather is awful; the flight's definitely going to be delayed.