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.

LITERAL USAGE:

  • 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

FIGURATIVE 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

OPPOSITE:

  • 追(お)い風(かぜ): tailwind; favorable circumstances

SIMILAR:

  • 逆風(ぎゃくふう): adverse wind (more literary/formal; preferred in figurative contexts like politics and business)
general
Added 2026.3.12 10:22 · Revised 2026.4.2 19:36
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