雨衣 (yǔ yī) literally means 'rain clothing' — 雨 (yǔ) means 'rain', and 衣 (yī) means 'clothing' or 'garment'. Together, they form a compound noun referring specifically to a waterproof outer garment worn to stay dry during rain. It is commonly made of plastic, nylon, or other water-resistant materials and may be a full-length coat, a poncho, or even a lightweight disposable version.

This word is used in everyday spoken and written Chinese, especially in weather-related conversations, travel preparations, or shopping contexts. Unlike more formal terms like 雨具 (yǔ jù, 'rain gear'), 雨衣 is neutral and widely understood across age groups and regions. It’s often paired with verbs like 穿 (chuān, 'to wear'), 买 (mǎi, 'to buy'), or 带 (dài, 'to bring'), and frequently appears in instructions or warnings about rainy weather.