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B1 noun #5,000 most common 10 min read

高気圧

Top 5,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 高気圧 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 高気圧 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to worry about the science of 'Koukiatsu.' Just know that it is a word you will see on the weather map on TV. It is made of 'High' (高) and 'Air Pressure' (気圧). When you see this word, it usually means the sun is coming out and you can play outside. You might hear a teacher say 'Koukiatsu' while pointing to a sunny picture. It's a long word, but if you break it down, it's just 'High-Air-Pressure.' Try to recognize the first character '高' which means 'tall' or 'high,' like in 'Takai.' This will help you identify it on a screen. Don't worry about using it in sentences yet; just look for the blue circle on the weather map!

At the A2 level, you should start recognizing 'Koukiatsu' as the reason for good weather. You will hear it in basic weather reports. A common phrase is 'Koukiatsu ga kimasu' (The high pressure is coming). This is a good time to learn the opposite word, 'Teikiatsu' (low pressure), which means rain. You can use 'Koukiatsu' to explain why you are happy about the weekend. For example: 'Ashita wa koukiatsu desu ne' (Tomorrow is high pressure, right?). Even though it's a bit technical, using it makes you sound like you are paying attention to Japanese news. Focus on the kanji: 高 (high), 気 (air), and 圧 (pressure).

As a B1 learner, you should be able to use 'Koukiatsu' in more complex ways. You should learn the passive form 'Koukiatsu ni oowareru' (to be covered by high pressure). This is the standard way to describe the weather on the news. You should also understand that different high-pressure systems bring different types of weather to Japan. For example, the 'Pacific High' (Taiheiyou Koukiatsu) brings the hot summer. You can now use this word to discuss your plans more naturally: 'Koukiatsu no eikyou de, kondo no doyoubi wa hare-sou desu' (Due to the influence of high pressure, it looks like it will be sunny this Saturday). This shows you understand cause and effect in Japanese.

At the B2 level, you should understand the specific names of high-pressure systems and their seasonal roles. You'll encounter 'Idousei Koukiatsu' (migratory high pressure) which brings the changing weather of spring and autumn. You should be comfortable with verbs like 'haridasu' (expand) and 'teitai suru' (linger/stagnate). You might also hear about 'Koukiatsu enpen' (the edge of a high-pressure system), where the weather can be unstable. At this level, you can participate in discussions about climate change or seasonal patterns in Japan using this vocabulary. You should also be aware of the difference between 'Koukiatsu' and 'Kou-atsu' (industrial high pressure).

For C1 learners, 'Koukiatsu' is a tool for precise meteorological and environmental description. You should understand how high-pressure systems interact with jet streams and ocean currents to create Japan's unique climate. You will read academic articles or listen to detailed scientific documentaries where 'Koukiatsu' is used to explain phenomena like 'Block Koukiatsu' (blocking highs) that cause unusual weather patterns. You should be able to explain the physical process—how descending air currents (kakou kiryuu) prevent cloud formation. Your usage should be indistinguishable from a native speaker, using terms like 'seiryoku wo tsuromeru' (strengthening its influence) and 'ken-nai' (within the zone).

At the C2 level, you possess a near-native understanding of 'Koukiatsu' in all contexts, including its metaphorical use in literature or high-level journalism. You can discuss the historical impact of specific high-pressure systems on Japanese agriculture and the economy. You might analyze how the 'Okhotsk High' affects the 'Yamase' winds in northern Japan, leading to crop failures. You understand the nuances of barometric pressure on a global scale and can switch between technical scientific Japanese and casual conversation effortlessly. You can also identify and correct subtle misuses of the term in professional writing or speech.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

高気圧 in 30 Seconds

Koukiatsu refers to a high-pressure system in meteorology, which is the primary driver of clear, sunny weather across the Japanese islands.
It is a noun composed of the kanji for 'high', 'air', and 'pressure', making it a literal and logical term for learners.
Commonly heard in daily weather forecasts, it is often paired with the verb 'oowareru' (to be covered) to describe sunny days.
Understanding the different seasonal high-pressure systems is key to mastering Japanese weather vocabulary and cultural context.

The term 高気圧 (Koukiatsu) is a fundamental meteorological concept in Japanese, literally translating to "high air pressure." In a scientific sense, it refers to a region where the atmospheric pressure at the surface is higher than its surrounding environment. For English speakers, this is the "High" you see marked with a blue 'H' on weather maps. In Japan, however, the word carries significant cultural and seasonal weight because the country's climate is strictly dictated by specific high-pressure systems. When you hear this word on the morning news, it is almost always a harbinger of clear skies, sunshine, and stable weather. Because Japanese society is highly attuned to the changing seasons, the arrival of a specific koukiatsu marks the transition into summer or the crisp days of autumn.

Scientific Definition: An area where air sinks from higher altitudes toward the ground. As the air sinks, it warms up and prevents clouds from forming, leading to clear weather.

In daily life, Japanese people use 高気圧 not just as a technical term, but as a reason for their plans. If a traveler says, "Tomorrow will be covered by high pressure," they are essentially saying it's a perfect day for a hike or laundry. The word is composed of three kanji: 高 (High), 気 (Air/Spirit), and 圧 (Pressure). This logical structure makes it easy for learners to remember once they understand the individual components. Unlike in some English-speaking regions where weather might be discussed vaguely, Japanese weather reports are incredibly detailed, and terms like koukiatsu are part of the common vocabulary even for children.

明日、日本列島は移動性高気圧に覆われる見込みです。
(Tomorrow, the Japanese archipelago is expected to be covered by a migratory high-pressure system.)

Furthermore, the concept of 高気圧 extends into health discussions. Some people in Japan suffer from "weather sickness" (気象病), and while low pressure is usually the culprit for headaches, the rapid arrival of a high-pressure system can also affect those sensitive to barometric changes. Thus, the word appears in medical blogs and health apps as frequently as it does on the news. Understanding this word is a gateway to understanding how the Japanese environment and lifestyle are intertwined with the atmosphere.

Common Verb Pairing: 覆われる (Oowareru - to be covered by). This is the most common passive construction used in weather reports.

西から高気圧が張り出してきました。
(A high-pressure system is expanding from the west.)

Using 高気圧 correctly requires a basic understanding of Japanese grammar particles and specific weather-related verbs. Unlike English where we might just say "The pressure is high," Japanese often describes the action of the pressure system moving across the land. The most frequent grammatical pattern involves the particle ni (に) followed by the verb oowareru (覆われる), which means "to be covered by." This evokes a mental image of a giant blanket of clear air descending over the islands. Another common verb is haridasu (張り出す), meaning to project or expand outward, describing how a pressure system grows in influence.

強い高気圧の影響で、全国的に晴れるでしょう。
(Due to the influence of a strong high-pressure system, it will likely be sunny nationwide.)

Syntactic Role: Noun. It can function as the subject (marked by が) or as part of a compound noun (e.g., 太平洋高気圧).

In more technical or academic settings, you might encounter the term seiryoku (勢力), which refers to the "strength" or "power" of the high pressure. Meteorologists will say things like "The high pressure's strength is weakening," using the verb otoroeru (衰える). For intermediate learners, mastering these pairings is the difference between sounding like a beginner and sounding like a native speaker. Additionally, 高気圧 is often contrasted with its opposite, teikiatsu (低気圧), in the same sentence to explain weather transitions. For example, "As the low pressure moves away, the high pressure moves in."

大陸からの高気圧が、冷たい空気を運んできます。
(The high-pressure system from the continent is bringing cold air.)

When discussing the seasons, you'll specifically hear about the Idousei Koukiatsu (移動性高気圧), or Migratory High. These systems travel across Japan from west to east, bringing the alternating cycles of rain and shine typical of spring and autumn. If you want to describe a period of prolonged good weather, you might say "We are in the center of a high-pressure system" (koukiatsu no ken-nai ni aru). This level of precision is highly valued in Japanese communication, where clarity about the environment helps in social coordination, such as deciding when to hold a school sports day or a corporate outing.

Collocation with Adjectives: つよい (Strong), おだやかな (Calm/Mild), おおきな (Large). These describe the characteristics of the system.

今日は穏やかな高気圧に包まれ、絶好の行楽日和です。
(Wrapped in a calm high-pressure system, today is a perfect day for an outing.)

The most common place to encounter 高気圧 is undoubtedly the daily weather forecast on television or radio. In Japan, weather reports are a national obsession due to the country's vulnerability to typhoons, heavy snow, and extreme heat. On NHK (the public broadcaster), the weather segment often uses large digital maps where 高気圧 is represented by the kanji inside a blue circle. The announcers speak with a specific cadence, often repeating the word as they trace the movement of the system across the screen. If you are living in Japan, you will hear this word every morning before you leave for work or school.

「現在、太平洋高気圧が本州付近まで勢力を広げています。」
("Currently, the Pacific High is expanding its influence to the vicinity of Honshu.")

Media Usage: News headlines, weather apps (like Yahoo! Weather or Tenki.jp), and newspaper weather columns.

Beyond the news, you will hear 高気圧 in casual conversation among adults, particularly when discussing plans for the weekend. It is not considered overly formal or academic; rather, it is seen as a practical way to explain why the weather is good. For example, coworkers might chat at the coffee machine: "The news said a high-pressure system is coming, so the weekend should be great for the BBQ." It is also a staple in school education. From elementary school science classes, Japanese children learn the relationship between koukiatsu and teikiatsu, making it a word that spans all age groups and social classes.

「週末は高気圧のおかげで、洗濯物がよく乾きそうですね。」
("Thanks to the high pressure, it looks like the laundry will dry well this weekend, doesn't it?")

Another interesting place you might hear this word is in the context of mountain climbing or aviation. Hikers are extremely cautious about pressure changes because a falling 高気圧 often means a dangerous storm is approaching. In specialized shops for outdoor gear, or in safety briefings at trailheads, the word is used with a high degree of seriousness. Understanding the word in these contexts can literally be a matter of safety. Finally, in the medical field, "High-pressure oxygen therapy" (koukiatsu sanso ryouhou) uses the same term, showing its versatility across different scientific domains.

Workplace Context: Construction and agriculture. These industries rely heavily on 'koukiatsu' forecasts to schedule outdoor work and harvests.

One of the most common mistakes English speakers make is confusing 高気圧 with the general word for "sunny" (hare). While high pressure usually results in sunny weather, they are not synonyms. You cannot say "The weather is high pressure" (Tenki wa koukiatsu desu). Instead, you must say "The weather is clear due to high pressure" (Koukiatsu no okage de hare desu). Understanding that 高気圧 is the cause and hare is the effect is crucial for natural-sounding Japanese.

❌ 今日は高気圧です。
✅ 今日は高気圧に覆われています。
(Incorrect: Today is high pressure. Correct: Today is covered by high pressure.)

Mistake 1: Category Confusion: Using 'koukiatsu' as an adjective. It is always a noun. You cannot say 'koukiatsu na hi' (a high-pressure day). You should say 'koukiatsu ni oowareta hi'.

Another frequent error involves the kanji themselves. Learners often confuse the atsu (圧) in 高気圧 with on (温) in kion (air temperature). While both are related to the weather, they describe different physical properties. If you accidentally say "High air temperature" (kou-kion) when you mean "High air pressure" (kou-kiatsu), you might be understood, but you'll be describing the heat rather than the atmospheric system. In the summer, both are usually high, but in the winter, a "Siberian High" (Shiberia Koukiatsu) actually brings very low temperatures despite being a high-pressure system.

❌ 高気圧だから暑いです。
✅ 高気圧ですが、冬なので寒いです。
(Incorrect: It's hot because of high pressure [not always true]. Correct: It's high pressure, but since it's winter, it's cold.)

Lastly, be careful with the pronunciation of the long vowel in kou (こう). If you shorten it to ko, it sounds like "child" or "small," which changes the meaning entirely. The pitch accent is also important; koukiatsu generally has a flat or slightly rising pitch until the 'atsu'. Mixing up the particles ga and ni is also common. Remember: Koukiatsu GA kuru (The high pressure comes) but Koukiatsu NI oowareru (To be covered BY high pressure).

Mistake 2: Particle Errors: Using 'wo' with 'oowareru'. Since 'oowareru' is passive, the agent (high pressure) must take 'ni'.

While 高気圧 is a specific meteorological term, there are several related words that you should know to describe similar weather conditions. The most common alternative in daily speech is hare (晴れ), meaning "sunny weather." While 高気圧 explains the why, hare describes the what. If you are just talking about the sky being blue, hare or seiten (晴天 - fair weather) are much more natural choices than the technical koukiatsu.

Comparison: 高気圧 vs. 晴天: 高気圧: Technical, refers to the pressure system. Used in news and science.
晴天: Formal/Literary, refers to the clear blue sky itself. Used in announcements or writing.

Another related term is kaisei (快晴), which means "perfectly clear skies" with no clouds at all. This is often the result of a very strong 高気圧. In a weather report, you might hear "Because of the high pressure, it will be kaisei tomorrow." There is also nagabiki (長続き), used to describe weather that "lasts a long time." High-pressure systems in summer often "persist" (teitai suru), leading to heatwaves. Knowing these verbs helps you describe the behavior of the koukiatsu more accurately.

今日は雲一つない快晴ですね。
(Today is a perfectly clear day with not a single cloud.)

For more advanced learners, terms like kiatsu no o-ne (気圧の尾根 - ridge of high pressure) or ken-nai (圏内 - within the range/sphere) are useful. A "ridge" describes an elongated area of high pressure, while being "within the sphere" of high pressure means you are currently enjoying its benefits. In contrast, kou-atsu (高圧) is usually reserved for "high voltage" electricity or "high pressure" in a mechanical sense (like a pressure cooker), so avoid using it for weather. Stick to 高気圧 for the atmosphere.

Comparison: 高気圧 vs. 高圧: 高気圧: Atmospheric/Weather context only.
高圧: Industrial, electrical, or psychological context (e.g., high-pressure sales).

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji 圧 (Atsu) used to be written as 壓 in its traditional form, which looks much more complicated! The modern simplified version is used in both Japan and China.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kaʊ.ki.at.su/

US /koʊ.ki.at.su/

Japanese is a pitch-accent language. In 'koukiatsu', the pitch starts low on 'ko' and rises on 'u-ki-a-tsu', remaining relatively flat.

Rhymes With

低気圧 (Teikiatsu) 血圧 (Ketsuatsu) 水圧 (Suiatsu) 電圧 (Den-atsu) 気圧 (Kiatsu) 変圧 (Hen-atsu) 重圧 (Juuatsu) 加圧 (Kaatsu)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'tsu' as 'su' (e.g., 'koukiasu').
Shortening the long 'o' in 'kou' to 'ko'.
Stress-accenting one syllable like English (e.g., 'KOU-ki-at-su'), which sounds unnatural.
Mispronouncing 'ki' as 'kee' with too much aspiration.
Merging the 'a' and 'tsu' into a single syllable incorrectly.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji are common but 'pressure' (圧) can be tricky for beginners.

Writing 4/5

Writing 圧 and 気 correctly requires practice with stroke order.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward as long as the long 'o' is maintained.

Listening 2/5

Very distinct sound in weather reports.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

高い (High) 天気 (Weather) 空気 (Air) 空 (Sky) 晴れ (Sunny)

Learn Next

低気圧 (Low pressure) 気圧配置 (Pressure pattern) 温暖前線 (Warm front) 寒冷前線 (Cold front) 湿度 (Humidity)

Advanced

等圧線 (Isobar) 下降気流 (Descending air current) 偏西風 (Westerlies) エルニーニョ (El Niño) 放射冷却 (Radiative cooling)

Grammar to Know

Passive form with 'ni' (〜に覆われる)

日本は高気圧に覆われています。

Causality with 'no eikyou de' (〜の影響で)

高気圧の影響で晴れました。

Appositive noun compounds

移動性高気圧 (Migratory + High Pressure).

Conjecture with 'mikomi' (〜の見込み)

高気圧が張り出す見込みです。

Transitive vs Intransitive (強まる vs 強める)

高気圧が強まる (Pressure strengthens itself).

Examples by Level

テレビで高気圧を見ました。

I saw 'high pressure' on TV.

Simple object marking with を.

高気圧は「高い」の意味です。

Koukiatsu means 'high'.

Topic marker は for definition.

高気圧、晴れですね。

High pressure, so it's sunny, right?

Casual noun-dropping.

あそこに高気圧があります。

There is a high pressure system over there.

Existence verb あります.

高気圧、大好きです。

I love high pressure (sunny weather).

Expressing preference.

これは高気圧のマークです。

This is the mark for high pressure.

Possessive particle の.

高気圧が来ます。

High pressure is coming.

Subject marker が with movement.

今日は高気圧ですか？

Is it high pressure today?

Simple question with ですか.

高気圧のおかげで、天気がいいです。

Thanks to the high pressure, the weather is good.

Using おかげで for positive reasons.

明日は高気圧が来るそうですよ。

I heard that high pressure is coming tomorrow.

Reporting information with そうです.

高気圧になると、空が青くなります。

When it becomes high pressure, the sky becomes blue.

Conditional と for natural consequences.

週末は高気圧に覆われるでしょう。

The weekend will probably be covered by high pressure.

Passive 覆われる and conjecture でしょう.

高気圧のときは、外で遊びましょう。

When it's high pressure, let's play outside.

Using とき for 'when'.

強い高気圧が近づいています。

A strong high pressure system is approaching.

Present continuous ています.

高気圧と低気圧の違いは何ですか？

What is the difference between high and low pressure?

Comparing two nouns with と.

日本は今、高気圧の中にあります。

Japan is currently inside a high pressure system.

Describing location within a system.

移動性高気圧の影響で、しばらくは晴天が続くでしょう。

Due to the influence of a migratory high, the fair weather will likely continue for a while.

Compound noun 移動性高気圧.

太平洋高気圧が張り出してくると、夏本番です。

When the Pacific High expands, summer is in full swing.

Verb 張り出す for expanding systems.

高気圧に覆われているため、今日は洗濯日和です。

Because we are covered by high pressure, today is a great day for laundry.

Using ため to show reason/cause.

北の方から冷たい高気圧が降りてきました。

A cold high-pressure system has come down from the north.

Directional movement with 降りてくる.

高気圧の勢力が強まっています。

The strength of the high pressure is intensifying.

Abstract noun 勢力 (power/influence).

この高気圧はゆっくりと東へ移動しています。

This high-pressure system is moving slowly to the east.

Adverbial use of ゆっくり.

明日の午前中はまだ高気圧の圏内でしょう。

Tomorrow morning, we will likely still be within the high-pressure zone.

Technical term 圏内 (within range).

高気圧が去った後は、雨が降るかもしれません。

After the high pressure leaves, it might rain.

Using かもしれません for possibility.

大陸の高気圧が張り出し、日本海側ではしぐれるでしょう。

The continental high will expand, and there will be drizzle on the Japan Sea side.

Stem form 張り出し used as a conjunction.

高気圧の縁を回って湿った空気が流れ込んでいます。

Moist air is flowing in, moving around the edge of the high-pressure system.

Technical concept of air flow around the 'edge' (縁).

梅雨前線が高気圧に押し上げられています。

The rainy season front is being pushed up by the high pressure.

Passive verb 押し上げられる.

この高気圧が停滞するため、猛暑が続く見込みです。

Because this high pressure is stagnating, the heatwave is expected to continue.

Noun 停滞 (stagnation/stalling).

高気圧の中心が日本列島を通過しました。

The center of the high pressure system passed over the Japanese archipelago.

Focusing on the 'center' (中心) of the system.

西日本は高気圧の圏外に去り、天気が下り坂です。

Western Japan has left the high-pressure zone, and the weather is going downhill.

Opposite of 圏内 is 圏外 (outside range).

高気圧に伴う下降気流が雲の発生を抑えています。

The descending air currents accompanying the high pressure are suppressing cloud formation.

Scientific explanation using 伴う (accompanying).

秋の移動性高気圧は、空気が乾燥しているのが特徴です。

A characteristic of autumn migratory highs is that the air is dry.

Using 特徴 (characteristic) to describe weather types.

オホーツク海高気圧の影響で、東北地方に冷たい風が吹き込んでいます。

Due to the Okhotsk High, cold winds are blowing into the Tohoku region.

Specific geographic high pressure system.

上空のチベット高気圧と太平洋高気圧が重なり、記録的な暑さとなりました。

The Tibetan High and the Pacific High overlapped, resulting in record-breaking heat.

Describing the 'stacking' (重なり) of systems.

高気圧の勢力が弱まり、低気圧が急速に発達しながら近づいています。

The high pressure is weakening, and a low pressure system is rapidly developing and approaching.

Complex weather dynamics description.

今回の猛暑は、背の高い高気圧が日本を覆い続けていることが原因です。

The cause of this heatwave is that a 'tall' (deep) high-pressure system continues to cover Japan.

Technical term 'tall high' (背の高い高気圧).

高気圧の張り出しが弱いため、前線が南下しやすくなっています。

Because the expansion of the high pressure is weak, it's easy for the front to move south.

Nominalized 張り出し as a noun.

偏西風の蛇行により、高気圧が特定の場所に居座ることがあります。

Due to the meandering of the westerlies, high pressure systems can sometimes 'settle' in a specific location.

Using 居座る (to stay/settle) for weather systems.

高気圧圏内では放射冷却が強まり、朝晩の冷え込みが厳しくなります。

Within the high-pressure zone, radiative cooling intensifies, making mornings and evenings severely cold.

Scientific term 放射冷却 (radiative cooling).

熱帯低気圧が北上し、太平洋高気圧の縁に沿って進んでいます。

The tropical depression is moving north along the edge of the Pacific High.

Describing movement 'along' (に沿って) a system.

北太平洋高気圧の西への張り出し具合が、日本の夏の降水量に多大な影響を及ぼす。

The extent of the North Pacific High's westward expansion exerts a significant influence on Japan's summer precipitation.

Formal academic 'exert influence' (影響を及ぼす).

ブロッキング高気圧の形成により、異常気象が長期化する懸念が生じている。

The formation of a blocking high has raised concerns that abnormal weather patterns may become prolonged.

Technical term ブロッキング高気圧 (blocking high).

冬季のシベリア高気圧の消長は、東アジア全体の気候変動と密接に関連している。

The wax and wane of the Siberian High in winter is closely linked to climate variations across East Asia.

Literary term 消長 (wax and wane/ups and downs).

高気圧沈降逆転層の形成が、都市部における大気汚染物質の滞留を招いている。

The formation of a high-pressure subsidence inversion layer is leading to the stagnation of air pollutants in urban areas.

Extremely technical meteorological/environmental terminology.

サブハイ（亜熱帯高気圧）の動向を注視することが、長期予報の精度向上には不可欠である。

Monitoring the trends of the 'sub-high' (subtropical high) is essential for improving the accuracy of long-term forecasts.

Industry jargon サブハイ.

高気圧のバリアが台風の進路を阻み、進路が複雑化するケースが散見される。

Cases are occasionally seen where the 'barrier' of high pressure blocks a typhoon's path, causing the trajectory to become complex.

Metaphorical use of 'barrier' (バリア).

成層圏突然昇温が高気圧の配置に変化をもたらし、寒波を誘発するメカニズムが解明されつつある。

The mechanism by which sudden stratospheric warming changes high-pressure arrangements and triggers cold waves is being elucidated.

Advanced scientific 'elucidate' (解明されつつある).

エルニーニョ現象発生時には、太平洋高気圧の勢力が平年よりも弱まる傾向にある。

During El Niño events, the strength of the Pacific High tends to be weaker than in average years.

Relating weather systems to global climate phenomena.

Common Collocations

高気圧に覆われる

高気圧が張り出す

高気圧の勢力

強い高気圧

高気圧の圏内

高気圧が停滞する

高気圧の中心

高気圧の縁

移動性高気圧

高気圧が強まる

Common Phrases

高気圧ガール

— A slang/pop culture term (from a famous song) referring to a bright, energetic woman. It implies she has a 'sunny' personality.

彼女はまさに高気圧ガールだね。

高気圧酸素カプセル

— A high-pressure oxygen capsule used for sports recovery or health treatments. It uses pressure to increase oxygen intake.

疲労回復のために高気圧酸素カプセルに入った。

高気圧に恵まれる

— To be blessed with high pressure (meaning perfect weather). Used when a special event has great weather.

運動会は高気圧に恵まれ、無事に終了した。

高気圧が居座る

— When a high-pressure system stays in one place for a long time, often causing heatwaves or droughts.

高気圧が居座り、水不足が心配されている。

高気圧の張り出し

— The expansion or 'bulge' of a high-pressure system on a weather map.

高気圧の張り出しが弱まり、雨が降りやすくなった。

西高東低

— A specific pressure pattern (High in West, Low in East) typical of Japanese winter. It brings heavy snow to the Japan Sea side.

今日は典型的な西高東低の気圧配置です。

高気圧の恩恵

— The benefits of high pressure, such as good harvest weather or dry laundry.

農家は高気圧の恩恵を受けている。

高気圧のピーク

— The peak of the high-pressure system's strength.

今日が高気圧のピークで、一番の暑さになります。

高気圧の通過

— The passing of a high-pressure system over an area.

高気圧の通過により、風向きが変わりました。

高気圧が弱まる

— When the pressure system loses its intensity.

夕方から高気圧が弱まり、雲が出てくるでしょう。

Often Confused With

高気圧 vs 高圧 (Kou-atsu)

Refers to high voltage or high mechanical pressure, not weather.

高気圧 vs 高気温 (Kou-kion)

Refers to high air temperature. High pressure often causes high temperature, but they are different things.

高気圧 vs 晴天 (Seiten)

Refers to the state of the sky (clear), while Koukiatsu is the atmospheric system causing it.

Idioms & Expressions

"高気圧が張り出す"

— Metaphorically used to describe someone gaining influence or 'taking up space' in a room or situation.

彼の自信が高気圧のように張り出している。

informal

"気圧が高い"

— Sometimes used metaphorically to describe a tense or 'heavy' atmosphere, though 'teikiatsu' is more common for bad moods.

今日の会議はなんだか気圧が高い（緊張感がある）。

slang

"高気圧のような笑顔"

— A smile as bright and clear as a high-pressure day.

彼女の高気圧のような笑顔に癒やされた。

poetic

"高気圧の壁"

— A barrier formed by high pressure that prevents storms or typhoons from entering.

高気圧の壁が台風を跳ね返した。

journalistic

"心が高気圧"

— Feeling cheerful, optimistic, and 'sunny' inside.

テストが終わって、今、心が高気圧です！

slang

"高気圧を味方につける"

— To use the good weather to one's advantage (e.g., in sports or events).

高気圧を味方につけて、新記録を狙おう。

neutral

"高気圧の支配"

— Being under the complete control of a high-pressure system (usually regarding the weather).

日本列島は完全に高気圧の支配下にある。

dramatic

"高気圧の訪れ"

— The arrival of high pressure, often used to signal the start of a season.

太平洋高気圧の訪れと共に、夏が始まった。

literary

"高気圧のお裾分け"

— A bit of 'good weather' reaching an area that was previously rainy.

隣の県から高気圧のお裾分けをもらったようだ。

informal

"高気圧に包まれる"

— To be gently surrounded by high pressure, implying a peaceful, sunny day.

今日は一日中、穏やかな高気圧に包まれていた。

neutral

Easily Confused

高気圧 vs 低気圧

They sound similar (only the first kanji differs).

Kou (High) brings sun; Tei (Low) brings rain.

低気圧が来ると雨になります。

高気圧 vs 高圧

Both start with 'High' and 'Pressure'.

Kou-atsu is for electricity or physical force; Kou-kiatsu is for air/weather.

この電線は高圧です。

高気圧 vs 気圧

One is general, one is specific.

Kiatsu is just 'air pressure' (any level); Koukiatsu is specifically 'high'.

気圧が下がってきました。

高気圧 vs 快晴

Both relate to clear weather.

Kaisei is a description of a cloudless sky; Koukiatsu is the system.

今日は快晴ですね。

高気圧 vs 上昇気流

Related to air movement.

High pressure has 'descending' (下降) air; Low pressure has 'ascending' (上昇) air.

上昇気流で雲ができます。

Sentence Patterns

〜は高気圧です。

明日は高気圧です。

高気圧のせいで/おかげで〜。

高気圧のおかげで晴れました。

高気圧に覆われる。

全国が高気圧に覆われます。

高気圧が張り出す。

高気圧が西から張り出します。

高気圧の圏内に入る。

日本は高気圧の圏内に入りました。

高気圧の勢力が強まる。

高気圧の勢力が徐々に強まっています。

〜に伴う高気圧。

寒気に伴う高気圧が南下しています。

高気圧の消長を注視する。

高気圧の消長を注視する必要があります。

Word Family

Nouns

気圧 (Air pressure)

高圧 (High pressure/voltage)

圧力 (Pressure)

気圧計 (Barometer)

Verbs

圧する (To pressure)

圧倒する (To overwhelm)

Adjectives

高圧的な (High-handed/Overbearing)

天気 (Weather)

晴れ (Sunny)

低気圧 (Low pressure)

気象 (Meteorology)

予報 (Forecast)

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in daily life, news, and school.

Common Mistakes

Using 'Koukiatsu' as an adjective like 'Koukiatsu na hi'. → Koukiatsu ni oowareta hi.
Koukiatsu is a noun, not an adjective. You must use a verb to link it to the day.
Confusing 'Koukiatsu' with 'Kou-atsu'. → Koukiatsu (Weather) / Kou-atsu (Voltage/Pressure cooker).
Kou-atsu is for industrial or mechanical pressure. Always add the 'ki' (air) for weather.
Saying 'Koukiatsu wo oowareru'. → Koukiatsu ni oowareru.
Passive verbs take the particle 'ni' for the agent that is doing the 'covering'.
Thinking 'Koukiatsu' always means summer. → It happens in all seasons.
Winter high pressure is very common and brings cold, dry weather to Tokyo.
Pronouncing it 'Ko-kiatsu'. → Kou-kiatsu.
The long vowel is essential for correct meaning and natural rhythm.

Tips

The 'H' Connection

Remember that the 'H' on English weather maps stands for 'High,' and in Japanese, that 'H' is the kanji '高' (Kou).

Passive Voice

Always pair 'Koukiatsu' with 'ni oowareru' to sound like a native weather reporter.

Laundry Strategy

In Japan, people check for 'Koukiatsu' specifically to decide when to wash large items like blankets.

Kanji Roots

Learning '圧' (Atsu) here will help you later with 'Ketsuatsu' (Blood pressure) and 'Aturyoku' (Pressure).

Long Vowels

Make sure to hold the 'ou' in 'Kou' for two beats. 'Ko-kiatsu' sounds like 'Child pressure'!

Cause vs Effect

Koukiatsu is the cause; Hare (sunny) is the result. Don't mix them up!

Autumn Highs

Autumn high pressure brings the best visibility for seeing Mt. Fuji. Look for it then!

Hectopascals

If the number on the map is above 1013, it's generally becoming 'Koukiatsu'.

Energy Levels

You can use 'Koukiatsu' to describe an energetic person who makes everyone feel good.

Mountain Safety

If you are hiking and the 'Koukiatsu' is leaving, it's time to get off the mountain fast.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Tall' (高) 'Spirit' (気) 'Pressing' (圧) down on the clouds to make them disappear. High pressure pushes the clouds away!

Visual Association

Imagine a giant blue 'H' on a map. In Japan, that 'H' is the kanji 高. Visualize a blue sky with a big '高' shining like the sun.

Word Web

Sunny Blue Sky Dry Summer H-Mark Barometer Sinking Air No Rain

Challenge

Try to spot '高気圧' on a Japanese weather website (like tenki.jp) and see if the forecast for that area is actually sunny.

Word Origin

The word is a Sinitic compound (Kango) created in the modern era to translate Western meteorological concepts. '高' (high) + '気圧' (atmospheric pressure).

Original meaning: Literally 'High Air Pressure.'

Japanese (Sino-Japanese roots).

Cultural Context

No particular sensitivities, but be aware that 'high pressure' (高圧的) can describe a bossy person, so use the full 'Koukiatsu' for weather to avoid confusion.

In English, we say 'A High' or 'High pressure system.' We rarely use 'High pressure' in casual conversation to mean 'sunny,' whereas 'Koukiatsu' is common in Japanese.

Tatsuro Yamashita's song 'Koukiatsu Girl' (1983) is a city-pop classic. Weathering With You (Anime) features high-pressure systems as a major plot point. NHK Weather News - the most trusted source for 'Koukiatsu' updates.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Weather Forecast

高気圧に覆われる
天気が安定する
日差しが届く
乾燥に注意

Daily Conversation

洗濯日和
お出かけ日和
高気圧のおかげ
晴れそうだね

Health/Medicine

高気圧酸素療法
気圧の変化
頭痛がする
体調管理

Outdoor Activities

登山日和
気圧が上がる
視界が良好
キャンプに行く

School/Science

下降気流
雲ができない
気圧の単位
ヘクトパスカル

Conversation Starters

"「明日は高気圧に覆われるみたいだから、どこかに行かない？」 (It looks like we'll be covered by high pressure tomorrow, want to go somewhere?)"

"「最近、高気圧がずっと居座っていて暑いですね。」 (Lately, the high pressure has been staying put and it's hot, isn't it?)"

"「高気圧の影響で空気が乾燥しているから、火の用心だね。」 (The air is dry due to the high pressure, so we should be careful with fire.)"

"「冬の高気圧は空が本当に綺麗に見えるから好きです。」 (I like winter high-pressure systems because the sky looks truly beautiful.)"

"「天気図を見ると、大きな高気圧が近づいていますよ。」 (Looking at the weather map, a large high-pressure system is approaching.)"

Journal Prompts

今日は高気圧の影響でどんな天気でしたか？何をして過ごしましたか？ (What was the weather like today due to high pressure? How did you spend your time?)

あなたが一番好きな季節の高気圧は何ですか？その理由を書いてください。 (Which season's high pressure do you like best? Please write the reason.)

「高気圧」という言葉を初めて聞いたとき、どう思いましたか？ (What did you think when you first heard the word 'Koukiatsu'?)

もしあなたが高気圧を自由に動かせるとしたら、いつ、どこを晴れにしますか？ (If you could move high-pressure systems freely, when and where would you make it sunny?)

高気圧の日に、日本で行ってみたい場所はどこですか？ (Where is a place in Japan you'd like to visit on a high-pressure day?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No. While summer high pressure is hot, winter high pressure (like the Siberian High) brings very cold, clear, and dry weather. It only means the sky will be clear.

It is a scientific word, but it's used in daily conversation by everyone in Japan. It's not considered 'stiff' or 'too academic' for casual use.

It is written as 高 (High), 気 (Air), and 圧 (Pressure). Make sure the bottom of 圧 is the 'earth' (土) radical.

The opposite is 'Teikiatsu' (低気圧), which means low-pressure system and usually brings rain.

Because a high-pressure system is like a large mass of air that 'covers' or 'blankets' the land. It's a very visual way of speaking.

In slang, yes! Saying your mood is 'Koukiatsu' means you feel bright and sunny. But don't use it in formal writing this way.

It's a high-pressure system that moves across Japan quickly, typical of spring and autumn. It brings short bursts of nice weather.

Yes, in 'High-pressure oxygen therapy' (Koukiatsu sanso ryouhou). It's used for treating various medical conditions.

In Japan, it is almost always blue, while 'Teikiatsu' (Low) is usually red.

In Japan, they use Hectopascals (hPa). A typical high pressure might be over 1020 hPa.