also: つむじかぜ · つじかぜ
noun
whirlwind; dust devil
Literal meteorological phenomenon: a small, spinning column of wind. Can be read せんぷう, つむじかぜ, or つじかぜ depending on the spelling.
校庭に小さな旋風が起こって、落ち葉が舞い上がった。
A small whirlwind sprang up in the schoolyard, sending fallen leaves swirling into the air.
My hat was blown off by a whirlwind.
noun
Only with reading せんぷう
Figurative use, restricted to the reading せんぷう. Describes a person, event, or thing that causes a sudden, widespread excitement or upheaval, like a whirlwind sweeping through.
彼のデビュー作は出版界に旋風を巻き起こした。
His debut work caused a sensation in the publishing world.
新製品が市場に旋風を起こしている。
The new product is creating a stir in the market.