吹く
fuku[ɸɯ̟̊kɯ̟]
To blow in Japanese is 吹く (fuku).
The verb 吹く is used to describe forcing a current of air, such as the wind blowing. It is also the standard verb for the physical act of blowing air from one's mouth, for example, blowing with puffed-out cheeks (ほおを膨らませて吹く). Additionally, 吹く is used when playing wind instruments, such as a flute or a whistle (笛を吹く).
Meaning: to force a current of air upon with the mouth, or by other means (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense of 吹く is 吹いた (blew), and the negative form is 吹かない (does not blow).
How do you pronounce it?
fuku
When do people say it?
In lighthearted or informal contexts, the onomatopoeic expression ふーふー (fu-fu) can be used to mimic the actual sound of blowing.
Did you know?
- Japanese has a specific term 吹き出し (fukidashi) for the speech bubbles in manga, which literally translates to 'blowing out'.
- When someone is laughing so hard they suddenly burst out, the phrase 吹き出す (fukidasu) is used, which literally means to 'blow out'.
- The word 吹く is used in the idiom 吹聴する (suichou suru) to describe the act of spreading a rumor or 'blowing' a secret into others' ears.
Examples in context
- 冷たい風が冬ごとに激しく吹く。Cold winds blow hard every winter.This sentence is useful for describing the wind blowing.Tatoeba #77663 by mookeee, translation #326055 by CM
- 吹く!Blow!This sentence is a command to blow.Tatoeba #13611144 by stao, translation #13582034 by Native77
- 今日は風が強く吹いています。Today, the wind is blowing strongly.
- パーティーでろうそくを全部吹き消してください。Please blow out all the candles at the party.
- 風が気持ちよくふいているね。The wind is blowing pleasantly, isn't it?
Example conversation
Misaki is helping Yota cool down a hot drink.
- 美咲 Misaki熱いから、ふーっと吹いてね。Atsui kara, fū-tto fuite ne.It's hot, so blow on it.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとう。今吹くよ。Arigatō. Ima fuku yo.Thanks. I'll blow on it now.
- 美咲 Misakiもう大丈夫そう？Mō daijōbu sō?Does it look okay now?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、ちょうどいい温度になった。Un, chōdo ii ondo ni natta.Yes, it's the right temperature now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 吹く, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
