〜風
-fuu
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
-style, in the manner of
〜風 attaches to nouns to mean "in the style of X": 和風 (Japanese style), 洋風 (Western style), 学生風 (student-like in appearance), 今風 (modern). It describes appearance or manner, not origin: 和風の部屋 is a Japanese-style room, not necessarily in Japan. 〜風の + noun, 〜風に + verb.
Both speech and writing. Very common in food, architecture, fashion, and descriptions of people (サラリーマン風の男). 〜風 can imply 'looks like but is not really' (学生風).
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Noun + 風 (noun)〜風の + Noun / 〜風に + Verb / 〜風だCommon: 和風・洋風・中華風・今風・昔風・学生風・田舎風・自己流 (note: 流 is a related suffix)
Visual diagram
| Aspect | 〜風 | 〜的 | 〜らしい |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meaning | in the style / appearance of | having the character of | typical of, true to type |
| Example | 和風の部屋 (Japanese-style) | 日本的な考え方 (characteristically Japanese) | 日本人らしい態度 (typically Japanese) |
| Focus | outward style | inner character | conformity to type |
Natural examples
和風の部屋に泊まりたい。
わふうのへやにとまりたい。
I want to stay in a Japanese-style room.
和風の + noun: Japanese-style.
彼女はいつも学生風の服を着ている。
かのじょはいつもがくせいふうのふくをきている。
She always wears student-style clothes.
学生風の + noun: looks like a student's clothes.
この店は昔風のラーメンを出す。
このみせはむかしふうのラーメンをだす。
This shop serves old-fashioned ramen.
昔風の + noun: old-fashioned style.
駅前で、サラリーマン風の男性に道を聞かれた。
えきまえで、サラリーマンふうのだんせいにみちをきかれた。
In front of the station, a man who looked like an office worker asked me the way.
〜風の: appearance, not certain identity.
この店の内装は今風に改装された。
このみせのないそうはいまふうにかいそうされた。
The interior of this shop was renovated in a modern style.
今風に: adverbial form.
Similar grammar and the difference
Character or nature, not outward style. Compare side by side
〜らしい
True to type; often positive.
Casual '-ish'; often slightly negative. Compare side by side
〜流
"School / way" (自己流, 日本流): method rather than appearance.
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 和風な部屋
- ✓
- 和風の部屋
- Why
- 風 makes a noun; use の before a noun.
- ✗
- 彼は学生風だから学生だ。
- ✓
- 彼は学生風だが、学生かどうかは分からない。
- Why
- 風 describes appearance; it does not assert identity.
- ✗
- 日本風の人 (meaning 'Japanese person')
- ✓
- 日本人
- Why
- 風 is style, not nationality.
Reading is ふう. Food: 和風ドレッシング, 中華風スープ, イタリア風. People: 〜風の男 / 女性 = looks like a…
JLPT N2 tips
On the exam
- Word-formation questions test 風 versus 的 versus らしい; 風 is outward style.
- Before a noun, use 風の, not 風な.
- Recognize fixed terms: 和風, 洋風, 今風.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜風 mean?
-style, in the manner of. 〜風 attaches to nouns to mean "in the style of X": 和風 (Japanese style), 洋風 (Western style), 学生風 (student-like in appearance), 今風 (modern). It describes appearance or manner, not origin: 和風の部屋 is a Japanese-style room, not necessarily in Japan. 〜風の + noun, 〜風に + verb.
How do you form 〜風?
Noun + 風 (noun) / 〜風の + Noun / 〜風に + Verb / 〜風だ / Common: 和風・洋風・中華風・今風・昔風・学生風・田舎風・自己流 (note: 流 is a related suffix). V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜風 used?
Both speech and writing. Very common in food, architecture, fashion, and descriptions of people (サラリーマン風の男). 〜風 can imply 'looks like but is not really' (学生風).
What is the difference between 〜風 and 〜的?
Character or nature, not outward style.
What is the difference between 〜風 and 〜らしい?
True to type; often positive.
What is a common mistake with 〜風?
Wrong: 和風な部屋 Right: 和風の部屋 風 makes a noun; use の before a noun.
Quick check
このホテルには（ ）の部屋と洋風の部屋がある。