Proverb / Kotowaza
嵐の前の静けさ
An unnaturally calm state that precedes a major event or upheaval.
The quietness before a storm
Quick Answer
An unnaturally calm state that precedes a major event or upheaval.
- Literal Image
- The quietness before a storm
- Closest Equivalent
- The calm before the storm
- How to Use It
- Used when a situation seems suspiciously quiet or stable, indicating that everyone is waiting for something big to happen.
Meaning
This expression describes a period of eerie stillness or deceptive peace right before a significant disturbance occurs. It suggests that the current quiet is temporary and that something turbulent is about to happen.
Literal Image
The quietness before a storm
Equivalent Proverbs
The calm before the storm
An identical idiom with the same imagery and meaning.
How to Use It
Used when a situation seems suspiciously quiet or stable, indicating that everyone is waiting for something big to happen.
Tone
Used to express a sense of foreboding or uneasy anticipation.
Examples
会議室は静まり返っていた。これは嵐の前の静けさで、大きな発表が来るに違いない。
The meeting room was dead silent. This is the calm before the storm; a big announcement must be coming.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The vocabulary (storm, before, quietness) consists of N3 words. The phrase structure is a simple noun phrase, though the meaning is idiomatic.
嵐
あらし / arashi
storm
前
まえ / mae
before; front
静けさ
しずけさ / shizukesa
quietness; calm
Usage Profile
Misread Risk
Do not use this for a positive or peaceful silence; it specifically implies that the quiet is deceptive and precedes trouble.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
This expression is derived from the meteorological phenomenon where the wind ceases and it becomes eerily quiet right before a large storm or typhoon arrives.
Index
Topics, Situations, and Tags
Topics
Situations
Tags
Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.