空気(くうき)を壊(こわ)す

くうきをこわす
expression
to ruin the atmosphere; to kill the mood
communication
1. to ruin the atmosphere; to kill the mood; to destroy the vibe
To say or do something that disrupts the harmonious or positive atmosphere of a social situation. Related to the cultural concept of 'reading the air' (空気を読む).
空気(くうき)を壊(こわ)すようなことを言(い)ってしまった。
I ended up saying something that ruined the mood.
せっかくの楽(たの)しい雰囲気(ふんいき)を壊(こわ)さないでほしい。
Please don't ruin the fun atmosphere.
彼(かれ)はいつも場(ば)の空気(くうき)を壊(こわ)すような発言(はつげん)をする。
He always makes remarks that kill the mood.

Usage

空気(くうき) (air/atmosphere) in Japanese social contexts refers to the unspoken mood, tone, or consensus of a group. 空気(くうき)を壊(こわ)す means to disrupt this shared atmosphere, often by saying something inappropriate, insensitive, or off-topic.

Related to the well-known expression 空気(くうき)を読(よ)む (to read the atmosphere), which describes the valued ability to sense the mood and act accordingly. A person who cannot do this is called KY (空気(くうき)読(よ)めない).

Common collocations

  • 場(ば)の空気(くうき)を壊(こわ)す (to ruin the atmosphere of the place)
  • 空気(くうき)を壊(こわ)す発言(はつげん) (a mood-killing remark)

Similar words

Related Words

Related: 空気(くうき)を読(よ)む (to read the room)
general
Added 2026.3.17 15:03 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
17000/17329_kuukiwokowasu