風向(かざむ)き

かざむき
noun
wind direction; trend; way things are going
1. wind direction
The direction from which the wind is blowing.
風向(かざむ)きが変(か)わった。
The wind direction changed.
風向(かざむ)きを見(み)て帆(ほ)を調整(ちょうせい)する。
Adjust the sails based on the wind direction.
午後(ごご)から風向(かざむ)きが北(きた)に変(か)わり、急(きゅう)に寒(さむ)くなった。
In the afternoon, the wind shifted to the north and it suddenly got cold.
2. trend; way things are going; mood
The general direction of a situation, attitude, or trend. Used figuratively to describe shifting circumstances or public opinion.
世論(よろん)の風向(かざむ)きが変(か)わりつつある。
Public opinion is shifting.
上司(じょうし)の風向(かざむ)きを見(み)て発言(はつげん)する。
Speak up after reading the boss's mood.
選挙(せんきょ)が近(ちか)づくにつれて政治(せいじ)の風向(かざむ)きが大(おお)きく変(か)わった。
As the election approached, the political winds shifted dramatically.

Compound of 風(かぜ) (wind) + 向(む)き (direction). The reading 風(かざ) uses the older combining form.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 風向(かざむ)きが変(か)わる (the wind/trend changes)
  • 風向(かざむ)きを見(み)る (check the wind/read the situation)
  • 風向(かざむ)きが悪(わる)い (the wind/mood is unfavorable)

The figurative use (sense 2) is very common and parallels the English expression "which way the wind is blowing."

general
Added 2026.3.2 18:35
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