風車
also: かざぐるま
Meanings
Refers to a structure that converts wind energy into rotational energy, typically for grinding grain or generating electricity.
Many windmills still remain in the Netherlands.
Large wind turbines are lined up at the wind farm.
pinwheel; toy windmill
Only with reading かざぐるま
A child's toy that spins in the wind, often made of paper or plastic. Usually written in kana as かざぐるま.
The child is running while holding a pinwheel.
Clematis patens (species of climbing plant)
Only with reading かざぐるま
A species of clematis native to Japan; the flower shape resembles a pinwheel. Usually written in kana as かざぐるま.
Clematis patens is a climbing plant that grows wild in the mountains and fields of Japan.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉が風で回るfor a windmill/pinwheel to turn in the wind
The windmill on the hill is slowly turning in the wind.
- 〈物〉で発電するto generate electricity using a wind turbine
This region generates electricity using wind turbines.
- 〈物〉を回すto spin a pinwheel (by hand or blowing on it)
The child is playing by spinning a paper pinwheel with their hand.
- 〈物〉を作るto make a (paper) pinwheel
I made a pinwheel out of origami paper.