雲

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The spelling is 雲, read くも, and it is a noun for a visible mass of tiny water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the sky.
• Basic usage: The basic sense of 雲 is a cloud that moves through the sky while changing shape and color.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Clouds described through motion and light
  • Both examples use the form 雲. 流れる depicts clouds drifting, while 夕日に染まる describes their color as altered by sunset light.
• White clouds over a mountain and sunset-colored clouds
  • 白い雲が山の上をゆっくり流れています。 — White clouds are drifting slowly over the mountain.
  • 夕日に染まった雲を窓から眺めました。 — I watched clouds colored by the sunset from the window.