(きうん)

きうん
noun
momentum, opportunity, climate for change
formalwritten
1. momentum, opportunity, favorable conditions, climate for change
The prevailing conditions or atmosphere that make something likely to happen. Often used for social, political, or organizational trends that are building toward a change or action.
The momentum for reform is growing.
A climate for international cooperation is beginning to emerge.
This incident rapidly increased the momentum for legal reform.

Usage

A formal word that typically appears in news, policy discussions, and written analysis. Almost always used with (たか)まる (to grow, to intensify) or ()まれる (to emerge). Describes a collective shift in attitude or conditions rather than an individual's feelings.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 気運(きうん): same reading, similar meaning (interchangeable in most contexts)
  • (いきお): momentum, force (more physical or dynamic)
  • 機会(きかい): opportunity (a specific occasion, not a general trend)