1.
heat; hot air; warm atmosphere
Physically hot air or the sensation of intense heat in a space. Composed of 熱 (heat) + 気 (air, atmosphere).
部屋に熱気がこもっている。
The room is stuffy with heat.
工場の中はすごい熱気だった。
It was incredibly hot inside the factory.
厨房から熱気が漏れてきて、廊下まで暑かった。
Heat was leaking from the kitchen, making the hallway hot too.
2.
fervor; excitement; enthusiasm
The excited, charged atmosphere of a crowd or event. Used figuratively to describe the passionate energy at concerts, sports events, political rallies, and similar gatherings.
会場は熱気に包まれていた。
The venue was wrapped in excitement.
ライブの熱気がすごかった。
The energy at the live concert was incredible.
選挙前の演説会場は、支持者たちの熱気であふれていた。
The pre-election rally venue was overflowing with the fervor of supporters.
USAGE:
The figurative sense (fervor, excitement) is very common in news reporting and descriptions of large events. 熱気に包まれる (to be wrapped in excitement) is a particularly common set phrase.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 熱気に包まれる (to be enveloped in excitement)
- 熱気がこもる (heat builds up — physical)
- 熱気があふれる (to overflow with excitement)
- 熱気球 (hot air balloon)