Translation guide
The English word 'atmosphere' can refer to the physical air or gases around a place, or to the mood or feeling of a situation. This guide helps learners express these ideas naturally in Japanese.
Expressing the general feeling, vibe, or ambiance of a place, event, or group.
The most common and versatile word for 'atmosphere' in the sense of mood or ambiance. Can be used for places, events, or social situations.
This restaurant has a nice atmosphere, doesn't it?
The atmosphere of the meeting turned sour.
Literally 'air', but often used metaphorically to mean the mood or atmosphere of a social situation, especially in phrases like 'read the air'.
He can't read the atmosphere.
I said something that ruined the atmosphere of the moment.
Loanword from English 'mood'. Often used for a specific emotional tone, especially in romantic or stylish contexts.
A restaurant with a romantic atmosphere.
A common colloquial pronunciation of 雰囲気 (ふんいき). Often used in casual speech, but considered less standard.
The atmosphere feels different somehow.
Referring to the actual air, gases, or climate of a location, including scientific contexts.
The scientific term for the Earth's atmosphere or the air in a broad sense. Used in weather, astronomy, and environmental contexts.
Atmospheric pollution has become a serious problem.
Enter the atmosphere.
The everyday word for 'air'. Can be used for the air in a room or outside, but not for the planet's atmosphere as a whole.
Rarely used for physical atmosphere, but can appear in literary descriptions of air or climate with a sensory quality.
Referring to the scientific unit of pressure (atm).
Both 雰囲気 (ふんいき) and 空気 (くうき) can mean 'atmosphere' in the sense of mood. 雰囲気 is more general and can describe the ambiance of a place or event. 空気 is more about the unspoken social mood and is often used in phrases like 空気を読む (read the air). Using 空気 to describe a restaurant's decor would be odd; use 雰囲気 instead.
This shop has a nice atmosphere.
The atmosphere in the meeting is heavy.
The loanword アトモスフィア is only used for the scientific unit of pressure. It does not mean 'atmosphere' in the sense of mood or ambiance. Using it that way will cause confusion.
The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere.
The atmosphere of the meeting was tense.
The Earth's atmosphere is mostly nitrogen.
The air in the room is dry.
Let's go get some fresh air.
山の澄んだ雰囲気が心地よい。
The clear mountain atmosphere is pleasant.
One atmosphere is approximately equal to 1013 hectopascals.