吹雪
fubuki[ɸɯ̟bɯ̟kʲi]
The English word 'blizzard' is translated into Japanese as 吹雪 (fubuki).
吹雪 is a noun used to describe a severe snowstorm.
Meaning: severe snowstorm (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the kanji 吹, meaning 'to blow' and 雪, meaning 'snow', literally translating to 'blowing snow'.
Which one should you use?
You can use 猛吹雪 (mōfubuki) to describe an even more intense or violent blizzard by adding the prefix 猛 (mō), which means 'violent' or 'fierce'.
How do you pronounce it?
fubuki
Did you know?
- In Japanese pop culture, 吹雪 (Fubuki) is a common name for characters who possess wind or ice powers, reflecting the word's image of a violent storm.
- In traditional Japanese aesthetics, the image of 吹雪 is sometimes used in poetry to symbolize the fleeting and chaotic nature of life.
- The verb form 吹雪く (fubuku) is actually what gives the noun 吹雪 its identity, meaning the blizzard is something that actively 'acts' upon the environment.
Examples in context
- こっちは、本格的に吹雪いてるよ。We've got a real blizzard going on here?This sentence shows how to express that a blizzard is currently occurring using the form 吹雪.Tatoeba #10092013 by small_snow, translation #10092006 by CK
- 私たちは山で厳しい吹雪に見舞われた。We encountered a severe blizzard on the mountain.This sentence is useful for describing encountering a severe blizzard while in the mountains using the form 吹雪.
- 吹雪でえらい目に遭った。We had a terrible time in the blizzard.This sentence illustrates how to describe having a terrible time due to a blizzard using the form 吹雪.Tatoeba #74803 by fcbond, translation #328916 by fcbond
- 吹雪で家に出られなかった。I couldn't leave my house because of the blizzard.
- 強烈な吹雪が予想されています。A severe blizzard is expected.
- あんなに強いブリザードは久しぶりだ。It's been a long time since we had such a strong blizzard.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A man and a woman are checking the weather forecast on their phone.
- 陽太 Yota明日は激しい吹雪になるらしいよ。Ashita wa hageshii fubuki ni naru rashii yo.It looks like there will be a severe blizzard tomorrow.
- 陽葵 Himari本当？外に出るのが怖いわ。Hontou? Soto ni deru no ga kowai wa.Really? I'm scared to go outside.
- 陽太 Yota無理に外出しないほうがいいよ。Muri ni gaishutsu shinai hou ga ii yo.It is better not to go out unnecessarily.
- 陽葵 Himariそうだね、家でゆっくり過ごそう。Sou da ne, ie de yukkuri sugosou.You're right, let's just relax at home.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 吹雪, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 吹雪, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
