JLPT · Level 101
45 words
Japanese word
風車
Pronunciation
Romajifūsha
Meaning
- nounwindmill
Example
風が吹くと、風車が回ります。kaze ga fu ku to fū sha ga mawa ri ma su
When the wind blows, the windmill turns.
More examples
丘の上に古い風車が立っています。oka no ue ni furu i fū sha ga ta tte i ma su
An old windmill stands on the hill.
Core concept
It centers on blades that catch the wind and turn, with their motion used for work or electricity.
Common phrases
風車を回すfū sha o mawa su
turn a windmill
風車が回るfū sha ga mawa ru
a windmill turns
Similar words
風力タービンfūryokutābin: A turbine whose blades are turned by wind, usually to generate electricity.
Definition in Japanese
風を受けて羽根を回し、その回転を動力や発電に利用する装置。kaze o u ke te ha ne o mawa shi so no kai ten o dō ryoku ya hatsu den ni ri yō su ru sō chi
Word origin
The compound 風車 (fūsha, "windmill") combines 風 (fū, "wind") with 車 (sha, "wheel"), describing a wheel-like set of blades turned by wind.
Usage tips
- The phrase "tilting at windmills" comes from Don Quixote and means fighting an imagined enemy, giving windmill a familiar place in English culture.
Other meanings
- wind turbinenoun