逆風(ぎゃくふう)

ぎゃくふう
noun
headwind; adversity
1. headwind
Wind blowing in the opposite direction to one's travel. Used literally for weather and navigation.
強(つよ)い逆風(ぎゃくふう)の中(なか)を走(はし)った。
I ran into a strong headwind.
逆風(ぎゃくふう)で飛行機(ひこうき)の到着(とうちゃく)が遅(おく)れた。
The headwind delayed the plane's arrival.
2. adversity; opposition; unfavorable conditions
Figuratively, circumstances that work against one's plans or goals. Very common in business, politics, and sports contexts.
円安(えんやす)が輸入(ゆにゅう)業者(ぎょうしゃ)にとって逆風(ぎゃくふう)になっている。
The weak yen is creating headwinds for importers.
逆風(ぎゃくふう)にもかかわらず、改革(かいかく)を進(すす)めた。
Despite the opposition, they pushed ahead with the reforms.
少子化(しょうしか)は教育(きょういく)産業(さんぎょう)にとって大(おお)きな逆風(ぎゃくふう)だ。
The declining birthrate is a major headwind for the education industry.

USAGE NOTES:
逆風(ぎゃくふう) is used both literally and figuratively. The figurative sense (adversity, unfavorable conditions) is extremely common in news and business Japanese.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 逆風(ぎゃくふう)が吹(ふ)く (headwind blows; facing adversity)
  • 逆風(ぎゃくふう)の中(なか) (amid adversity)
  • 逆風(ぎゃくふう)にさらされる (to be exposed to headwinds)
  • 強(つよ)い逆風(ぎゃくふう) (strong headwind/opposition)

SIMILAR WORDS:
The opposite is 追(お)い風(かぜ) (tailwind; favorable conditions).

general
Added 2026.2.28 22:08
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