風 車(ふうしゃ)

ふうしゃ

noun

windmill; wind turbine

See also: 風車(かざぐるま) (pinwheel (same kanji))

1. windmill; wind turbine; wind-powered device

A large structure with blades that rotate in the wind, used historically for grinding grain or pumping water, and now for generating electricity. Distinct from the toy pinwheel (風車(かざぐるま)).

オランダは風車(ふうしゃ)で有名(ゆうめい)だ。

The Netherlands is famous for its windmills.

風力発電(ふうりょくはつでん)の風車(ふうしゃ)が丘(おか)の上(うえ)に並(なら)んでいる。

Wind turbines are lined up on top of the hill.

この地域(ちいき)では、風車(ふうしゃ)を使(つか)って地下水(ちかすい)を汲(く)み上(あ)げる仕組(しく)みが昔(むかし)から使(つか)われてきた。

In this area, a system of using windmills to pump up groundwater has been used since ancient times.

風車(ふうしゃ) refers to large wind-powered structures — both traditional windmills used for grinding grain or pumping water, and modern wind turbines for generating electricity.

Pronunciation

The same kanji can also be read as かざぐるま, which means a toy pinwheel. The reading ふうしゃ always refers to the large structure, while かざぐるま refers to the small toy. Be careful not to confuse the two readings.

Common collocations

風車(ふうしゃ)小屋(ごや): windmill building
風力発電(ふうりょくはつでん)の風車(ふうしゃ): wind power turbine
風車(ふうしゃ)が回(まわ)る: the windmill turns/spins

Cultural note

Japan has invested heavily in wind power, and 風力発電(ふうりょくはつでん)の風車(ふうしゃ) (wind turbines) are a common sight in coastal and mountainous areas.

general

Added 2026.3.15 14:53 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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