Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing wind direction involves specific nouns and verbs. The most common way is to use 風向き (kaza-muki) or 風向 (fūkō). When describing where the wind is blowing from, use ～の風 (～no kaze) or directional compounds. For wind blowing towards a direction, use ～に向かって吹く風 (～ni mukatte fuku kaze).
To talk about the direction the wind is blowing from or to, in general terms.
The most common and natural word for 'wind direction' in everyday conversation. It refers to the direction the wind is blowing from.
今日の風向きは北です。
The wind direction today is north.
風向きが変わった。
The wind direction changed.
A more formal or technical term for wind direction, often used in weather forecasts or written contexts.
風向は北西です。
The wind direction is northwest.
To say the wind is blowing from a particular direction (e.g., north wind).
Attach the direction to の風 to mean 'wind from ~'. This is the most natural way to describe a wind by its source direction.
北の風が強い。
The north wind is strong.
南の風が吹いている。
A south wind is blowing.
Compound nouns like 北風 (north wind), 南風 (south wind), etc., are common and concise.
北風が冷たい。
The north wind is cold.
To describe wind that is blowing towards a specific direction (less common, but useful for precision).
Use this pattern to explicitly state the direction the wind is blowing towards. 向かって means 'towards'.
風が東に向かって吹いている。
The wind is blowing towards the east.
To ask which way the wind is blowing.
Casual way to ask 'Which way is the wind blowing?' using 風向き and どっち (which direction).
風向きはどっち？
Which way is the wind blowing?
Polite version of the above.
風向きはどちらですか？
Which way is the wind blowing?
風向き (kaza-muki) is the everyday word; 風向 (fūkō) is technical. Using 風向 in casual speech may sound stiff.
In Japanese, when you say 北の風, it means the wind is blowing from the north, not towards the north. To specify 'towards', use に向かって.