風

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 風(かぜ) means wind or a breeze felt as air moves.
• Basic usage: It is used for a cool breeze entering a room or strong wind nearly blowing something away. Typical patterns are 涼しい風が入る and 強い風で飛ばされる.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Express its strength and feel
  • Modifiers show the character of the wind: 涼しい風 is a cool breeze, while 強い風 is wind strong enough to blow things away.
• Difference from 空気
  • 空気(くうき) is the air filling the surroundings, while 風 is the phenomenon felt when that air moves.