Japan has a new word for the weather – level 2
14-05-2026 07:00
Summer in Japan is now so hot that the country has a new word: kokushobi. It means a cruelly hot day and is used when the temperature goes above 40 °C.
The Japanese language usually has very soft and pretty words for weather, but this new word sounds scary and serious. Half a million people picked it in a vote. Last year was the hottest year in Japan since 1898. Scientists say that 40 °C days are becoming much more common because of climate change.
This big heat is very dangerous for people’s health, especially for older people. When it is very hot and humid, the human body cannot cool itself down easily. The new word, kokushobi, is a warning for everyone to remember they must stay safe and drink water during these dangerous days.
Difficult words: cruelly (in a way that causes pain or is very unkind), common (usual), humid (when there is very much water in the air).
You can watch the original video in the Level 3 section.
Which group faces the greatest health risks during kokushobi, and what makes these days so dangerous?
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