Translation guide
A wind blowing in the same direction as a vehicle or person, providing assistance. In Japanese, this is expressed with specific nouns and verbs, and also used metaphorically for favorable conditions.
Describe a wind that blows from behind, aiding forward movement.
The most common and natural word for a tailwind, used in everyday conversation and weather reports.
今日は追い風で、自転車が楽だ。
There's a tailwind today, so cycling is easy.
追い風に乗って、船は速く進んだ。
Riding the tailwind, the ship sailed quickly.
A more descriptive phrase meaning 'the wind pushes one's back', often used in narrative or literary contexts.
風が背中を押してくれるような日だった。
It was a day when the wind seemed to push us along.
Literally 'favorable wind', often used in nautical contexts or set phrases. Less common in daily speech.
順風満帆で航海は順調だった。
With a favorable wind and full sails, the voyage went smoothly.
Express a situation or factor that helps progress or success.
Also used metaphorically for any advantageous circumstance, like a boost in business or sports.
新政策が業界の追い風となっている。
The new policy is a tailwind for the industry.
彼の成功には追い風が吹いていた。
He had the wind at his back on his way to success.
To ride the tailwind, meaning to take advantage of favorable conditions.
会社は景気回復の追い風に乗って業績を伸ばした。
The company rode the tailwind of economic recovery and improved its performance.
追い風 (tailwind) is the opposite of 向かい風 (むかいかぜ, headwind). Both are used literally and figuratively.