Translation and Meaning of: 風 - kaze

The Japanese word 風[かぜ] is an essential term for anyone learning the language or interested in Japanese culture. It not only represents a natural phenomenon but also appears in everyday expressions, place names, and even artistic concepts. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, writing in kanji, and how it is used in daily life by the Japanese. If you want to understand this word better or memorize it effectively, keep reading!

Meaning and usage of 風 [かぜ]

Kaze [風] means "wind" in Japanese, but its use goes beyond the literal definition. It describes everything from a gentle breeze to strong winds, depending on the context. In everyday conversations, it’s common to hear phrases like "今日は風が強い" (today the wind is strong) or "窓を開けて風を通す" (open the window to let the wind in).

Furthermore, 風 also appears in compound words, such as 台風[たいふう] (typhoon) and 風邪[かぜ] (cold). The latter, although written with the same kanji, has a slightly different pronunciation when used alone. This detail shows how Japanese can be full of nuances, even in seemingly simple terms.

Origin and writing of the kanji 風

The kanji 風 is composed of the radical 虫 (insect) and the component 凡 (ordinary). The etymology suggests that it originally represented the wind as something that "flies like an insect," a poetic image found in ancient Chinese texts. This character was incorporated into Japanese centuries ago and retains its basic form to this day.

In writing, it is important to pay attention to the order of the strokes, especially in the lower part of the kanji. A common mistake among students is to reverse the direction of the final "hook." Practicing with calligraphy exercises can help reinforce not only the form but also the meaning behind this symbol that is so present in the Japanese language.

Cultural curiosities about the wind in Japan

In Japan, the wind holds a profound cultural significance, appearing in haikus, paintings, and even train station names. For example, the expression 風の便り[かぜのたより] (news brought by the wind) refers to rumors or information that arrives indirectly. This type of metaphorical usage is common in Japanese literature and cinema.

Another interesting fact is that many local festivals celebrate wind as a purifying element, especially in autumn. The wind is also associated with changes, both climatic and symbolic, reinforcing the idea that nothing is permanent. For the Japanese, 風 is not just a natural phenomenon, but part of a worldview that values fluidity and transformation.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• かぜ (kaze) - Wind
• ふう (fuu) - Style; form; it can also mean wind in some contexts.
• かざ (kaza) - It has no specific meaning, but it can be part of compound words related to the wind.
• かぜいろ (kazeiro) - Color of the wind; a less common expression that can refer to a shade of color.

風

Romaji: kaze
Kana: かぜ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: wind; breeze

Meaning in English: wind;breeze

Definition: Phenomenon in which gases move in the atmosphere.

Example Sentences - (風) kaze

See below some example sentences:

清々しい朝の風が心地よいです。

Seishunashii asa no kaze ga kokochi yoi desu

The fresh breeze of the morning is pleasant.

The refreshing morning wind is comfortable.

• 清々しい - refreshing, invigorating
• 朝 - morning
• の - Possession particle
• 風 - wind
• が - subject particle
• 心地よい - pleasant, comfortable
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

気風が良い町は暮らしやすいです。

Kifū ga yoi machi wa kurashi yasui desu

A city with a good atmosphere is easy to live in.

A city with good air is easy to live in.

• 気風 - atmosphere, climate
• が - subject particle
• 良い - good, pleasant
• 町 - city, town
• は - Topic particle
• 暮らし - life, way of life
• やすい - easy, convenient
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

暮れの風景が美しいです。

Kure no fuukei ga utsukushii desu

The twilight landscape is beautiful.

The dawn landscape is beautiful.

• 暮れの風景 - sunset landscape
• が - subject particle
• 美しい - beautiful
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

嫋かな花が風に揺れる。

Noboroka na hana ga kaze ni yureru

The delicate flowers shake in the wind.

。 The flower shakes in the wind.

• 嫋かな - Delicate, graceful
• 花 - flower
• が - subject particle
• 風 - wind
• に - target particle
• 揺れる - swing, oscillate

この風景は美しいです。

Kono fuukei wa utsukushii desu

This landscape is beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 風景 - The noun that means "landscape" or "scenery".
• は - topic particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case, "this landscape"
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• です - verb "to be" in a polite and formal way

下町の風情が好きです。

Shitamachi no fuzei ga suki desu

I like the atmosphere of the old neighborhood.

I like the atmosphere of the city center.

• 下町 - working-class neighborhood
• の - Possession particle
• 風情 - atmosphere, environment
• が - subject particle
• 好き - like
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

和風の料理が大好きです。

Watashi wa wafū no ryōri ga daisuki desu

I love Japanese food.

I love Japanese style dishes.

• 和風 - Japanese style
• の - Possession particle
• 料理 - food/kitchen
• が - subject particle
• 大好き - like it a lot
• です - Verb ser/estar (polite form)

彼女の髪は風に漂っていた。

Kanojo no kami wa kaze ni tadayotte ita

Her hair was floating in the wind.

• 彼女 - "Ela" significa "彼女" (kanojo) em japonês.
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 髪 - means "hair" in Japanese
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 風 - means "wind" in Japanese
• に - particle that indicates action or direction
• 漂っていた - verb meaning "to float" or "to hover" in the past continuous tense

洋風のレストランでディナーを楽しんだ。

Yoofuu no resutoran de dinnaa wo tanoshinda

I enjoyed dinner at a western restaurant.

• 洋風 - Western Style
• の - Possession particle
• レストラン - restaurant
• で - Location particle
• ディナー - dinner
• を - direct object particle
• 楽しんだ - enjoyed

泡がたくさんある風呂は気持ちがいいです。

Abura ga takusan aru furo wa kimochi ga ii desu

A bubble bath is very pleasant.

A bath with lots of bubbles is good.

• 泡 - bubbles
• たくさん - many
• ある - there are
• 風呂 - bath
• 気持ち - sensation
• いい - good
• です - is