Verb (in the third person singular of the present indicative of "llover")
/lʝuˈe.βe/
"llueve" is the third person singular present tense form of the verb "llover," which means "to rain." It is used to describe the weather phenomenon when rain is falling. The term is commonly used in both oral and written contexts, especially in weather reports, conversations about the climate, or describing current weather conditions.
Frequency of use is moderate, as it is a straightforward description of a common weather condition. In daily conversation, expressions relating to weather are common.
Llueve mucho en la temporada de otoño.
It rains a lot during the autumn season.
Si llueve, tendremos que cancelar el picnic.
If it rains, we will have to cancel the picnic.
Hoy llueve, así que lleva un paraguas.
Today it is raining, so take an umbrella.
While "llueve" itself is not typically part of idiomatic expressions, the concept of rain plays a significant role in several common phrases in Spanish:
"Llover sobre mojado."
To rain on wet ground.
Meaning: To have a problem added onto an existing one.
Ejemplo: La crisis financiera llegó y llover sobre mojado fue que también perdí mi trabajo.
Example: The financial crisis hit, and to make matters worse, I also lost my job.
"Cuando llueve, a todos les llega."
When it rains, it pours.
Meaning: Bad situations often happen all at once.
Ejemplo: Primero se rompió el coche, y luego se me enfermó el perro. Cuando llueve, a todos les llega.
Example: First, my car broke down, and then my dog got sick. When it rains, it pours.
"No hay mal que por bien no venga."
There is no bad from which good does not come.
This is not directly linked to "llueve," but it expresses a similar notion: sometimes bad events bring good results.
Ejemplo: Perdí el tren, pero conocí a alguien interesante en la estación. No hay mal que por bien no venga.
Example: I missed the train, but I met someone interesting at the station. There is no bad from which good does not come.
The verb "llover" comes from the Latin "pluviare," which is derived from "pluvia," meaning "rain." Over time, it evolved in the Spanish language to refer specifically to the act of rain falling.
Synonyms: - Chubascos (showers) - Precipitación (precipitation) - Aguacero (downpour)
Antonyms: - Despejado (clear) - Soleado (sunny) - Seco (dry)
This gives a comprehensive look at the word "llueve," its uses, and associated expressions.