What is the difference between 空気 and 大気?


空{くう}気{き} and 大{たい}気{き} both share the definitions of air or atmosphere as
their main definitions.

I see they both have distinct additional definitions (the former can be used
for mood, and the latter for generosity), and that 空{くう}気{き} shows air ahead
of atmosphere, whereas 大{たい}気{き} does the opposite (at least in Shirabe Jisho,
the dictionary I'm using).

Are there specific circumstances over which one should be used over the other
when referring to air/atmosphere, or are they completely interchangeable for
this definition?




空気 is normally translated as "air," the kind that you can breathe, or put into
a balloon.

大気 specifically refers to the huge layer of air/gas surrounding the earth (or
sometimes, another planet). You cannot breathe in 大気, nor can you put 大気 into
a balloon, but you can leave the 大気 with a rocket.




空気 is normally translated as "air," the kind that you can breathe, or put into
a balloon.

大気 specifically refers to the huge layer of air/gas surrounding the earth (or
sometimes, another planet). You cannot breathe in 大気, nor can you put 大気 into
a balloon, but you can leave the 大気 with a rocket.

