ベタ凪
betanagi
The English phrase "dead calm" is translated into Japanese as ベタ凪 (betanagi).
ベタ凪 is used primarily in maritime contexts, such as fishing or sailing, to describe a sea surface with no wind and no waves.
Meaning: completely still (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of ベタ (flat/smooth) and 凪 (calm/lull).
Which one should you use?
While ベタ凪 describes a specific maritime state of a flat sea, you might use 無風 to formally state there is "no wind" and the colloquial phrase ピタリと静か to describe a state that is "perfectly calm and quiet."
How do you pronounce it?
betanagi
Did you know?
- The word ベタ is also used in manga and illustration to describe the process of filling an area with a solid block of flat black ink.
- While 'dead calm' sounds peaceful in English, a ベタ凪 can be a source of frustration for Japanese fishermen because certain fish stop biting when there is no current.
- Because ベタ凪 describes a sea that is unnaturally flat, the phrase is sometimes used to describe an atmosphere that feels eerily or suspiciously quiet.
Examples in context
- 彼らは無風の中で穏やかな航海を楽しんでいます。They are enjoying a peaceful voyage in the dead calm.
- 今日はベタ凪ですね。Kyō wa betanagi desu ne.It is dead calm today, isn't it?
- ベタ凪なので、ボートが動きません。Betanagi na no de, bōto ga ugokimasen.Since it's dead calm, the boat won't move.
- 海面はベタ凪の状態です。Kaimen wa betanagi no jōtai desu.The sea surface is in a state of dead calm.
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are looking at the ocean from the beach.
- 蓮 Ren見て、今日は完全なベタ凪だよ。Mite, kyō wa kanzen na betanagi dayo.Look, it's completely dead calm today.
- 結衣 Yui本当に静かですね。波が全くないです。Hontō ni shizuka desu ne. Nami ga mattaku nai desu.It really is quiet. There are no waves at all.
- 蓮 Renこんな日はカヤックに最適だね。Konna hi wa kayakku ni saiteki dane.A day like this is perfect for kayaking.
- 結衣 Yuiいいですね。蓮さんと一緒に行きたいです。Ii desu ne. Ren-san to issho ni ikitai desu.That sounds great. I want to go with you, Ren.
