Wind in Japanese: kaze, explained with its related expressions

How to say “wind” in Japanese

Japanese people would say “kaze”. It is the Japanese word for ‘wind’. In this blot post, I will explain its definition and meanings. And also, I will explain its related expressions which Japanese people often use. Let’s get started!

Contents

• Definition and meanings of “kaze”
• Example #1: how to say “wind is blowing” in Japanese
• Example #2: how to say “windy” in Japanese
• Summary

Definition and meanings of “kaze”

First of all, let me start with the definition and meanings of “kaze”.

• kaze – 風 (かぜ) : a noun meaning ‘wind’, ‘breeze’, or ‘draft’ in Japanese.

Its definition and meanings are quite simple and clear. Then, let me explain its related expressions through the example sentences below.

Example #1: how to say “wind is blowing” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• ga – が : a case particle put after a noun to make the subject word or the object word in a sentence. In the example, it is put after the noun, “kaze”, to make the subject word in the sentence.
• fui – 吹い (ふい) : one conjugation of the verb, “fuku”, which means ‘to blow’ in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for a better connection with its following word.
• te – て : a conjunctive particle put after a verb or adjective to make its te form. In the example, it is put after the conjugated verb, “fui”, to make its te form, “fui te”. In Japanese, verbs need to be changed to their te forms to be connected with “iru”.
• i – い : one conjugation of the auxiliary verb, “iru”, which is used to express the continuity of the action described by its preceding verb. In the example, it is used to express the continuity of the action described by the te formed verb, “fui te”. We can consider “iru” and its conjugations as the keys to making present progressive forms in the Japanese language.
• masu – ます : an auxiliary verb put after a verb, auxiliary verb, or phrase to make it polite. Probably, it is well known for a part of Japanese masu form. In the example, it is put after the verb phrase, “fui te i”, to make it sound polite.

This is a typical usage of “kaze”. Japanese people often say “kaze ga fui te i masu” to mean ‘wind is blowing’ in Japanese. This expression sounds polite enough, so would fit with various situations. In more casual situations, however, they omit the auxiliary verb, “masu”, and use the less polite expression, “kaze ga fui te iru”. This sounds a bit more casual due to the lack of the auxiliary verb for politeness.

Next, then, let me explain another example.

Example #2: how to say “windy” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• kyou – 今日 (きょう) : a noun meaning ‘today’ in Japanese. It can also be used as an adverb and inserted almost anywhere in a sentence to say “today”. In the example, it is used as a part of the adverb phrase. Learn more about “kyou“.
• wa – は : a binding particle working as a case maker or topic maker. In the example, it is put after “kaze” to give the topic. The phrase, “kyou wa”, is often used as a topic maker to focus on ‘today’.
• ga – が : the same as explained in the last example. In this example, it is also put after the noun, “kaze”, to make the subject word in the sentence.
• tsuyoi – 強い (つよい) : an i-adjective meaning ‘strong’ in Japanese. In the example, it is used to describe the strength of wind.
• desu – です : an auxiliary verb put after a noun or adjective to make it polite. Probably, it is well known for a part of Japanese desu form. In the example, it is put after the i-adjective, “tsuyoi”, to make it sound polite.

This is another typical usage of “kaze”. In this example, it is used as a part of the expression, “kaze ga tsuyoi”. This expression literally means ‘wind is strong’, but is usually translated into English as ‘windy’. Interestingly, we cannot express ‘windy’ in one word in the Japanese language. So, we need to say “kaze ga tsuyoi”. Depending on the situation, the first example sentence, “kaze ga fui te i masu”, can also be used to mean ‘windy’ in Japanese.

Summary

In this blog post, I’ve explained the word, “kaze”, and its related expressions through the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.

• kaze – 風 (かぜ) : a noun meaning ‘wind’, ‘breeze’, or ‘draft’ in Japanese.
• kaze ga fui te i masu – 風が吹いています (かぜがふいています) : a Japanese expression for ‘(the) wind is blowing’. Depending on the situation, this expression can be used to mean ‘windy’ in Japanese. In more casual situations, “kaze ga fui te iru” can be used instead.
• kaze ga tsuyoi desu – 風が強いです (かぜがつよいです) : a Japanse expression for ‘windy’. This expression literally means ‘wind is strong’, but is often translated into English as ‘windy’.

Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.