向(む)かい風(かぜ)

むかいかぜ

noun

headwind

1. headwind, wind blowing against one

A wind blowing directly against one's direction of travel. Also used figuratively for adverse circumstances or opposition.

強(つよ)い向(む)かい風(かぜ)が吹(ふ)いている。

A strong headwind is blowing.

向(む)かい風(かぜ)で自転車(じてんしゃ)が進(すす)まない。

The bicycle won't move forward because of the headwind.

経済(けいざい)の向(む)かい風(かぜ)にもかかわらず、会社(かいしゃ)は成長(せいちょう)を続(つづ)けた。

Despite economic headwinds, the company continued to grow.

Figurative usage

A compound of 向(む)かい (facing toward) and 風(かぜ) (wind). Used both literally for a wind blowing against your direction of travel, and figuratively for adverse conditions.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS (literal):

強(つよ)い向(む)かい風(かぜ): strong headwind
向(む)かい風(かぜ)が吹(ふ)く: a headwind blows
向(む)かい風(かぜ)の中(なか)を進(すす)む: to press forward against the wind

Usage

Common in news and business contexts to describe adverse circumstances:

経済(けいざい)の向(む)かい風(かぜ): economic headwinds
向(む)かい風(かぜ)に立(た)ち向(む)かう: to face adversity head-on

Similar words

追(お)い風(かぜ): tailwind; favorable circumstances
逆風(ぎゃくふう): adverse wind (more literary/formal; preferred in figurative contexts like politics and business)

Related Words

Antonym: 追(お)い風(かぜ) (tailwind)

Synonym: 逆風(ぎゃくふう) (adverse wind (formal))

Antonym: 順風(じゅんぷう) (tailwind)

general

Added 2026.3.12 10:22 · Revised 2026.10.6 9:37

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