Do you know the meaning of “Read the Air”?

Do you know a Japanese slung “KY”? This is actually an obsolete word and no one in Japan use it these days.

This stands for “空気が読めない(kuuki ga yomenai)” and Japanese people used to use this to people who can’t “read the air.”

Yes, I know there are no expression “read the air” in English, but if it’s directly translated it’ll be “read the air.”

“本を読む(honwo yomu)” is “read a book” and “新鮮な空気(shinsenna kuuki)” is “fresh air.”

The correct translation is…

The correct translation corresponding “空気を読む” will be “read the situation” or “read between the lines.”

空気(kuuki) has 2 meanings.

1. air
2. situation, atmosphere

That’s why the translation will be so.

The most important thing is…

To live in Japan, reading the atmosphere and reading between the lines are the most important thing.

Japanese language is a high-context language and Japanese people omit many things such as subjects.

Also, we can say “words make our personality” and they sometimes omit their true feelings.

Even if they say “thank you,” it might be an irony and they might not appreciate you.

I don’t want you to hesitate talking with Japanese people, because they just want to make good relationships with others and don’t want to make any troubles.

In conclusion, I’d like you to know about “the air” and the importance to read it.



This is the end of this blog. I hope you enjoy learning Japanese language.

In the next blog on Wednesday, I’m going to tell you how to learn kanji.