神風
kamikaze[ka̠mʲika̠ze̞]
The English phrase "kamikaze" (suicidal attack) is translated into Japanese as 神風. If unsure, use 神風. Wiktionary also lists 神風攻撃 (kamikaze kōgeki).
Meaning: suicidal attack (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 神風 | kamikaze | [ka̠mʲika̠ze̞] (narrow) [ka̠mɯ̟ka̠ze̞] (narrow) |
| 神風攻撃 | kamikaze kōgeki |
In Japanese, while it can refer to such attacks, the term 神風 more broadly means a "divine wind" or a miraculous help that arrives at a critical moment.
Which one should you use?
To specifically refer to the military tactic of a kamikaze attack, the term 神風攻撃 is used, which adds the word for "attack" (攻撃) to the base word. While English speakers use the term to denote suicidal attacks, the Japanese term 神風 can also mean a "divine wind" that provides unexpected assistance in a crisis.
How do you pronounce it?
kamikaze
Did you know?
- The term 神風 originally referred to a specific historical event: a massive typhoon in 1274 and 1281 that destroyed the invading Mongol fleets.
- The concept of the 神風 as a divine breeze appears in the Man'yōshū, the oldest existing collection of Japanese poetry, dating back to the 8th century.
- While English uses 'kamikaze' as a noun for an attack, Japanese speakers can use 神風 as a metaphor for a lucky break that saves someone from a disaster.
Examples in context
- 特攻隊の勇気と忍耐は称賛に値します。The courage and resilience of the special attack forces deserve admiration.
- 昨日のドキュメンタリーでカミカゼパイロットについて学んだよ。I learned about Kamikaze pilots in yesterday's documentary.
- 歴史の授業で神風について学んだ。Rekishi no jugyou de kamikaze ni tsuite mananda.I learned about the kamikaze in history class.
- 神風は歴史的に非常に重要な言葉だ。Kamikaze wa rekishiteki ni hijou ni juuyou na kotoba da.Kamikaze is a very important word historically.
Example conversation
Two students are discussing a documentary at a library.
- 陽葵 Himariさっきのドキュメンタリー、神風のシーンが怖かったね。Sakki no dokyumentarii, kamikaze no shiin ga kowakatta ne.The documentary just now, the kamikaze scenes were scary, wasn't it?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、当時の状況を考えると凄まじいよね。Un, touji no joukyou o kangaeru to susamajii yo ne.Yeah, considering the situation at that time, it's intense.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太くんは、神風の歴史に詳しいの？Youta-kun wa, kamikaze no rekishi ni kuwashii no?Youta, are you knowledgeable about the history of the kamikaze?
- 陽太 Yotaいや、少し本で読んだだけだよ。Iya, sukoshi hon de yonda dake da yo.No, I just read a little bit in a book.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “kamikaze” translations and entries 神風, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 神風, CC BY-SA 4.0.
