1.
low atmospheric pressure; low-pressure system; cyclone
A meteorological system where atmospheric pressure is lower than the surrounding area, typically bringing clouds, rain, and unstable weather.
低気圧が近づいている。
A low-pressure system is approaching.
低気圧の影響で天気が崩れるだろう。
The weather will likely deteriorate due to the low-pressure system.
発達した低気圧が日本海側を通過し、各地で強風と大雨になった。
A developed low-pressure system passed over the Sea of Japan side, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to various regions.
2.
bad mood; feeling down
A colloquial metaphor describing someone who is in a gloomy or irritable mood, as if affected by low atmospheric pressure.
今日は低気圧だね。
You seem to be in a bad mood today.
月曜日の朝はいつも低気圧になる。
I always feel down on Monday mornings.
彼女は低気圧のときに話しかけると怒られるから、そっとしておいたほうがいい。
If you talk to her when she's in a bad mood, she'll get angry, so it's better to leave her alone.
A weather term that also has a popular colloquial figurative use. Combines 低 (low) + 気圧 (atmospheric pressure).
USAGE:
- Sense 1 is the meteorological meaning, very common in weather forecasts
- Sense 2 is a colloquial metaphor meaning someone is in a bad mood or feeling gloomy, as if affected by low pressure — widely used in everyday speech
- Many Japanese people believe that low atmospheric pressure causes headaches or fatigue, which reinforces the metaphor
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 低気圧が近づく: a low-pressure system approaches
- 低気圧が発達する: a low-pressure system develops
- 低気圧の影響: the effect of low pressure
- 温帯低気圧: extratropical cyclone
- 爆弾低気圧: bomb cyclone
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 高気圧: high pressure — the opposite; also used figuratively for being in a good mood
- 台風: typhoon — a specific type of intense low-pressure system
- 気圧: atmospheric pressure — the base term