Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Get the Kotomora apps for iOS and Android.

Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides About Support Privacy

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

北風 (きたかぜ, kitakaze) Japanese meaning: north wind | Kotomora

北きた風かぜ

also: ほくふう

き

た

か

ぜ

Common word›JLPTN1›Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

north wind; northerly wind

Refers to a wind blowing from the north. In Japan, it is often associated with cold winter weather.

今日きょうは北きた風かぜが強つよく吹ふいている。

A strong north wind is blowing today.

北きた風かぜが冷つめたくて、コートを着きた。

The north wind was cold, so I put on a coat.

Usage patterns

北きた風かぜが吹ふくa north wind blows
冬ふゆになると北きた風かぜが強つよく吹ふく。
In winter, a strong north wind blows.
北きた風かぜにあたるto be exposed to the north wind
外そとに出でると北きた風かぜにあたって顔かおが痛いたかった。
When I went outside, my face hurt from being hit by the north wind.

Kanji

北north
風wind, air, style

Related words

木こ枯がらしN1
北風 is the general term for a cold north wind, while 木枯らし specifically names the sharp, leaf-stripping wind that marks the onset of winter.

Opposites

南なん風ぷう
北風 blows from the north and is associated with cold winter weather, while 南風 blows from the south and is usually warm and humid.

Don't confuse with

東風こち
北風 and 東風 are both directional wind terms with a similar structure, but 北風 comes from the north and brings cold, while 東風 comes from the east and often brings rain or signals a season change.
西にし風かぜ
北風 and 西風 are both directional wind terms that learners may mix up; 北風 comes from the north and is linked to cold, while 西風 comes from the west and is often dry and cool.

Built from

北きた+風かぜ

Written forms

北風Usage97%
- きたかぜ
  Standard kanji spelling; the most common reading is きたかぜ.
- ほくふう
  Sino-Japanese reading; used in formal or literary contexts, such as weather forecasts or poetry.
きたかぜUsage3%

Etymology

Compound of 北 (north) and 風 (wind). The reading きたかぜ is a native Japanese reading, while ほくふう is the Sino-Japanese reading.

ほくふう