How to say "wind" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 風かぜnounThe ordinary noun for wind as moving air: the wind blowing outside, a breeze through the window, a cold draught. This is the word you want for almost every weather-related use of English 'wind'.
- 巻くまくgodan verb, transitive verbA verb: to wind, coil or roll something around something else, as in winding a scarf or turban around your head. Use this for the action of winding, never for moving air.
- nounThe borrowed English word for wind. It is seldom the word you want in ordinary sentences about weather; that role belongs to 風, and in practice the loanword usually appears as part of longer borrowed terms.
- nounNot moving air at all: this is the British sense of 'wind' as gas from the stomach or bowels, i.e. a fart. Never reach for it when talking about the weather.
- 繰るくるgodan verb, transitive verbA verb for winding or reeling: winding thread, or reeling in a line. For the general action of winding or coiling something around something, 巻く is the usual verb instead.
For moving air use 風; for the verb 'to wind' choose 「巻く」 for coiling or wrapping things and 「繰る」 for winding thread; 「ウインド」 is a marginal loanword, and 「おなら」 is only the British 'wind' meaning gas.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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