空気
Meanings
Physical air or gaseous atmosphere. Also used in scientific and everyday contexts.
The air in the room is dry.
The mountain air is very clean.
The social or emotional atmosphere of a place or group. Often used in the phrase 空気を読む (read the room).
See also: 空気を読む
The mood of the meeting was heavy.
He is bad at reading the room.
someone with no presence; someone who doesn't stand out
Colloquial and idiomatic. Refers to a person who is so unnoticeable that they are treated like air. Often used in phrases like 空気のような存在.
He is like air in the class—nobody notices him.
Usage patterns
- 〈場所〉の空気が重いthe atmosphere in a place is heavy/tense
The atmosphere in the meeting room was so tense that no one spoke.
- 空気を悪くするto spoil the mood/atmosphere
His one remark spoiled the mood in the room.
- 空気に触れるto be exposed to (the) air
A cut apple changes color when it's exposed to air.
- 空気を入れるto put air into something (e.g. tires, a balloon)
I put air into the bicycle tires.
- 空気のような存在a presence like air; someone unnoticed but always there
In class, I was like air—always there but never noticed.
Expressions
- 空気を読むread the room; sense the mood; read the situation
- 空気にさらすexpose to air; aerate; air out
- 空気読めないunable to read the room; unable to pick up on the mood; socially clueless
- 空気が読めないunable to read the room; unable to pick up on the mood; socially oblivious
- 空気を読めないunable to read the room; unable to pick up on the mood; socially clueless