Want to actually learn this — with audio, spaced repetition and progress tracking?

Study in the app →

Help improve this content. If something looks off, let us know →

English · CEFR Band 1 (A1) · Chapter 28

Weather and seasons

Is cold or It's cold?

  1. Emma How's the weather in Seoul today, Minsu?
  2. Minsu Is very cold. And is snowing.
  3. Emma Start each one with "it": "It's very cold. It's snowing."
  4. Minsu Ah, it's very cold today, and it's snowing.

What's the weather like here?

  1. Minsu What's the weather like here in summer?
  2. Emma It's hot and sunny. I love summer.
  3. Minsu And in winter? Is it very cold?
  4. Emma It's cold and it often rains. Bring an umbrella!
汉字PinyinPOSMeaning
weather n. weather
hot adj. hot
cold adj. cold
rain n. rain
snow n. snow
sunny adj. sunny
windy adj. windy
summer n. summer
winter n. winter
umbrella n. umbrella

It's hot today It's hot today

English weather sentences start with "it" — a subject that fills the slot but points to nothing. For a state, use "it is" ("it's") + adjective: It's hot. It's cold. It's sunny. It's windy. For rain and snow happening now, use "it is" + -ing: It's raining. It's snowing. Add "today", "in summer" or "in winter" to say when: In summer it's hot. In winter it's cold. To ask, use "What's the weather like?" — What's the weather like today? — It's cloudy. Never drop the "it": say "It's raining", not "Is raining".

English weather sentences start with "it" — a subject that fills the slot but points to nothing. For a state, use "it is" ("it's") + adjective: It's hot. It's cold. It's sunny. It's windy. For rain and snow happening now, use "it is" + -ing: It's raining. It's snowing. Add "today", "in summer" or "in winter" to say when: In summer it's hot. In winter it's cold. To ask, use "What's the weather like?" — What's the weather like today? — It's cloudy. Never drop the "it": say "It's raining", not "Is raining".

  • It's hot and sunny today. It's hot and sunny today.
  • It's raining, so take an umbrella. It's raining, so take an umbrella.
  • In winter it's cold and it often snows. In winter it's cold and it often snows.
  • What's the weather like today? — It's cloudy and windy. What's the weather like today? — It's cloudy and windy.

Want to actually learn this — with audio, spaced repetition and progress tracking?

Study in the app →

Report an issue

Spotted an error or have a suggestion? Every report helps us improve this content.