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.
このレストランは雰囲気がいいですね。
This restaurant has a nice atmosphere, doesn't it?
会議の雰囲気が悪くなった。
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'.
彼は空気が読めない。
He can't read the atmosphere.
その場の空気を壊すようなことを言ってしまった。
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.
ロマンチックなムードのレストラン。
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.
なんか雰囲気が違うね。
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.
大気汚染が深刻な問題になっている。
Atmospheric pollution has become a serious problem.
大気圏に突入する。
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).
The standard term for atmospheric pressure. Used in weather reports and science.
今日の気圧は1013ヘクトパスカルです。
Today's atmospheric pressure is 1013 hectopascals.
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.
この店は雰囲気がいい。
This shop has a nice atmosphere.
会議の空気が重い。
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.
そのレストランは居心地の良い雰囲気です。
The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere.
会議の雰囲気は緊迫していた。
The atmosphere of the meeting was tense.
地球の大気はほとんど窒素です。
The Earth's atmosphere is mostly nitrogen.
The air in the room is dry.
新鮮な空気を吸いに行こう。
Let's go get some fresh air.
The clear mountain atmosphere is pleasant.
Loanword for the unit 'atmosphere' (atm). Used in technical or scientific contexts.
1アトモスフィアは約1013ヘクトパスカルに等しい。
One atmosphere is approximately equal to 1013 hectopascals.