This guide explores the N3 JLPT kanji, 吹 (fuku/sui), primarily meaning 'to blow' or 'to breathe out'. This character is essential for describing actions related to wind, breath, and playing wind instruments. By understanding 吹, you'll gain access to a variety of expressions in everyday conversation and more descriptive contexts, from a gentle breeze to a raging storm or the sound of a trumpet.
Meaning
The kanji 吹 (fuku/sui) fundamentally means 'to blow' or 'to breathe out'. Its structure visually and semantically reflects this core action, making it quite intuitive once you understand its components. Essentially, 吹 describes expelling air from the mouth to create wind, produce sound, or perform other related actions.
Etymologically, 吹 is a phono-semantic compound. It is composed of two radicals: 口 (kuchi), meaning 'mouth', on the left, and 欠 (ketsu), meaning 'to lack' or 'to yawn' or 'to gape', on the right. The 口 radical clearly denotes the source of the action – the mouth. The 欠 radical, while meaning 'to lack' or 'deficient,' also visually depicts a person opening their mouth widely. This suggests the act of exhaling or emitting air, perhaps like yawning. Combining these two components—口 (mouth) and 欠 (exhaling/open mouth)—vividly conveys the action of 'blowing' or 'breathing out' from the mouth. This visual representation directly reinforces its primary meaning and helps with memorization.
Beyond the literal act of blowing air, 吹 encompasses various nuances. It can describe wind blowing, playing a wind instrument like a flute or trumpet, or even metaphorically 'blowing away' something, such as doubts or worries. As a kyōiku kanji designated for Grade 3 elementary school use, 吹 holds foundational importance in the Japanese language. The kanji has a stroke count of 7, which makes it relatively straightforward to write.
Readings
The kanji 吹 has distinct readings that depend on whether it is used in a Chinese-derived compound (On'yomi) or in a native Japanese word (Kun'yomi). Understanding both readings will greatly enhance your ability to use and comprehend Japanese.
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary On'yomi reading for 吹 is スイ (SUI). This reading is less common in everyday spoken Japanese compared to its Kun'yomi. However, it frequently appears in specific, often more formal or technical compounds, especially those related to music or certain types of equipment. Its presence indicates a word that was adopted into Japanese from Chinese at some point in history.
吹奏 (suisō) — playing wind instruments. This term often refers to the performance aspect of instruments that require blowing.
吹奏楽 (suisōgaku) — wind instrument music; a wind band or orchestra. This is perhaps the most common compound where the On'yomi スイ is prominently used, referring to musical ensembles.
吹管 (suikan) — a blowpipe or blowtube. This term refers to a tube used for blowing, often in scientific or industrial contexts.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The primary Kun'yomi reading for 吹 is ふ.く (fuku), which is the most widely used and versatile reading of this kanji. It directly translates to 'to blow', 'to breathe out', or 'to play (a wind instrument)'. This reading is used when the kanji stands alone as a verb or forms part of native Japanese compound words.
吹く (fuku) — to blow; to breathe out; to play (a wind instrument). This is the base verb form and incredibly common in daily life. For example, 風が吹く (kaze ga fuku - the wind blows) or 笛を吹く (fue wo fuku - to play the flute).
吹き出す (fukidasu) — to spout; to gush; to burst out (laughing). This compound verb implies an outward movement caused by blowing, such as a fountain spouting water, or a sudden emotional outburst like bursting out laughing.
吹雪 (fubuki) — a snowstorm; a blizzard. This is a special reading compound where 吹 contributes to the 'blowing' aspect of a snowstorm.
吹き消す (fukikesu) — to blow out (a flame, candle). This verb is used for extinguishing something with a puff of air.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 吹 forms a wide array of words and compounds, reflecting its diverse applications. These examples are grouped by theme to help you understand their contexts.
Action-Related Compounds
- 吹く (fuku) — to blow; to breathe out; to play (a wind instrument).
Example: 風が強く吹いている。 (Kaze ga tsuyoku fuiteiru.) — The wind is blowing strongly.
- 吹き飛ばす (fukitobasu) — to blow away; to send flying.
Example: 強風で帽子が吹き飛ばされた。 (Kyōfū de bōshi ga fukitobasareta.) — My hat was blown away by the strong wind.
- 吹き付ける (fukitsukeru) — to spray; to blow against.
Example: 冷たい風が顔に吹き付ける。 (Tsumetai kaze ga kao ni fukitsukeru.) — A cold wind blows against my face.
- 吹き込む (fukikomu) — to breathe into; to record; to blow into.
Example: マイクに向かって歌を吹き込んだ。 (Maiku ni mukatte uta wo fukikonda.) — I recorded a song into the microphone.
- 吹き荒れる (fukiareru) — to rage (wind); to blow violently.
Example: 嵐の風が激しく吹き荒れる。 (Arashi no kaze ga hageshiku fukiareru.) — The storm winds rage violently.
Nature & Weather-Related Compounds
- 吹雪 (fubuki) — a snowstorm; a blizzard.
Example: 山では吹雪に見舞われた。 (Yama de wa fubuki ni mimawareta.) — We encountered a blizzard in the mountains.
Music & Sound-Related Compounds
- 吹奏楽 (suisōgaku) — wind instrument music; a wind band/orchestra.
Example: 彼女は吹奏楽部に入っている。 (Kanojo wa suisōgaku-bu ni haitteiru.) — She is in the wind band club.
- 吹き鳴らす (fukinarasu) — to sound (a horn); to play (a wind instrument) loudly.
Example: 汽笛を吹き鳴らして船が出港した。 (Kiteki wo fukinarashite fune ga shukkō shita.) — The ship departed, blowing its whistle.
Figurative & Other Compounds
- 吹き替え (fukikae) — dubbing (of a movie); replacement of air/gas.
Example: この映画は日本語の吹き替え版も楽しめる。 (Kono eiga wa Nihongo no fukikae-ban mo tanoshimeru.) — You can also enjoy the Japanese-dubbed version of this movie.
- 吹っ切る (fukkiru) — to break free from; to get over (a feeling or problem).
Example: 彼は長年の悩みを吹っ切った。 (Kare wa naganen no nayami wo fukkitta.) — He broke free from his long-standing worries.
Example Sentences
Here are several example sentences demonstrating the use of 吹 in various contexts, ranging from simple to more complex expressions.
風が窓から部屋に吹いている。
Kaze ga mado kara heya ni fuiteiru.
The wind is blowing into the room from the window.
彼は誕生日ケーキのろうそくを吹き消した。
Kare wa tanjōbi kēki no rōsoku wo fukikeshita.
He blew out the candles on the birthday cake.
子供たちはシャボン玉を吹いて遊んでいる。
Kodomo-tachi wa shabon dama wo fuite asondeiru.
The children are playing by blowing soap bubbles.
寒い冬の夜には、北風が激しく吹き荒れる。
Samui fuyu no yoru ni wa, kitakaze ga hageshiku fukiareru.
On cold winter nights, the north wind blows violently.
駅のホームでは、電車の到着を知らせる笛が吹き鳴らされた。
Eki no hōmu de wa, densha no tōchaku wo shiraseru fue ga fukinarasareta.
On the station platform, a whistle was blown to announce the train's arrival.
彼は大学で吹奏楽を専攻している。
Kare wa daigaku de suisōgaku wo senkō shiteiru.
He is majoring in wind instrument music at university.
映画の日本語吹き替えは、原作の雰囲気を壊さず素晴らしかった。
Eiga no Nihongo fukikae wa, gensaku no fun'iki wo kowasazu subarashikatta.
The Japanese dubbing of the movie was wonderful, without ruining the original atmosphere.
山頂では、突然の吹雪に見舞われ、視界が悪くなった。
Sanchō de wa, totsuzen no fubuki ni mimaware, shikai ga warukunatta.
At the mountaintop, we were suddenly hit by a blizzard, and visibility worsened.
新しい仕事のために、彼は過去の失敗を吹っ切ることができた。
Atarashii shigoto no tame ni, kare wa kako no shippai wo fukkiru koto ga dekita.
For his new job, he was able to get over his past failures.
冷たい風が私たちの体に吹き付け、震えが止まらなかった。
Tsumetai kaze ga watashitachi no karada ni fukitsuke, furue ga tomaranakatta.
The cold wind blew against our bodies, and we couldn't stop shivering.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 吹, focus on its two main components. On the left is 口 (kuchi), which means 'mouth'. This is the source of any blowing action. On the right is 欠 (ketsu), which visually resembles a person with an open mouth, perhaps yawning or exhaling. Imagine a person with their mouth open (欠) and a small 'mouth' (口) icon next to it, showing the precise opening from which air is expelled. This vivid image of air leaving an open mouth should help you firmly grasp the meaning of 'to blow' for 吹.