1.
calm, lull, stillness (of wind and sea)
A state where the wind dies down and the sea becomes calm and still. Also used figuratively for a period of quiet or pause.
海が凪になった。
The sea became calm.
夕凪の海はとても静かだった。
The sea during the evening calm was very still.
嵐の後の凪のような穏やかな時間が流れた。
A peaceful time passed, like the calm after a storm.
凪 is a uniquely Japanese kanji (国字) combining 風 (wind) + 止める (to stop). It describes the windless, calm state of the sea.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 朝凪 (morning calm)
- 夕凪 (evening calm)
- 凪の海 (calm sea)
- 凪になる (to become calm)
USAGE NOTES:
朝凪 and 夕凪 are specific meteorological phenomena where land and sea breezes switch direction, creating a brief windless period. The word is also used as a personal name (especially for girls) and appears in literary and poetic contexts. It has become a popular name in recent years, including through the manga and anime 凪のお暇 (Nagi's Long Vacation).