Definition
To fall from the sky, used for rain, snow, or other precipitation.
Example
明日は雪が降るかもしれない。
Show translation
It might snow tomorrow.
Etymology
From Old Japanese 降る (furu), rooted in the verb stem fu- meaning "to descend from above." The same stem appears in 振る (furu, "to shake/wave"), though the kanji distinguishes the meanings. The character 降 (Chinese: jiàng/xiáng) combines the "hill/step" radical 阜 (阝) with 夅, depicting feet descending steps — a perfect visual for precipitation falling downward.
Cultural note
Weather is an extremely common topic in Japanese small talk (世間話, sekenbashi), and 降る is among the first verbs a learner will encounter in real conversation. Japan's rainy season (梅雨, tsuyu, typically June–July) and heavy typhoon season make this verb practically indispensable. Note that 降る is specifically for precipitation — for other things "falling" (like leaves or prices), Japanese uses 落ちる (ochiru) or 下がる (sagaru).