Translation and Meaning of: 川 - kawa
On this page, we will study the meaning of the Japanese word 川 (kawa) and its translation into English. Let's see their different meanings, example phrases, explanations, etymology and the similar words.
Romaji: kawa
Kana: かわ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3, jlpt-n5
Translation / Meaning: rio
Meaning in English: river
Definition: A steady flow of water that does not flow too fast.
Sumário
- Etymology
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Phrases
Explanation and Etymology - (川) kawa
The word 「川」, read as "kawa" in romaji, is a Japanese term that means "river". This word is often used to describe bodies of water that flow toward the sea, lake, or another river. The beauty and serenity of river waters often inspire poetry and literature in Japanese culture, constituting a strong symbol of continuity and renewal. Rivers play a fundamental role in the geography of Japan, crossing its cities and fields, providing water and sustenance for generations.
Etymologically, the kanji 「川」 is quite simple in its composition. The three horizontal strokes of the kanji symbolize the image of a watercourse, with the outer strokes representing the riverbanks and the middle stroke symbolizing the current of water. This kanji is of pictographic origin, a common characteristic of many kanji characters, which often trace back to drawings or simplified representations of the objects or concepts they denote. The simplicity of the kanji reflects the ancestral importance of rivers to ancient civilizations.
In the linguistic context, the term "kawa" can appear in various compound forms with other kanji, expanding its meaning. Some examples include 「川辺」 (kawabe), which means "riverbank," and 「川遊び」 (kawa-asobi), which refers to "playing in the river" or "water recreation." Additionally, 「川」 is often used in place names and Japanese surnames as an integral part of their geographical and cultural identification. This highlights how the presence of rivers influences various aspects of daily life and identity in Japan.
The historical relevance of rivers in Japan cannot be underestimated. Since ancient times, they have provided resources such as drinking water and fish, in addition to serving as natural routes for transportation and trade. Rivers have also been a source of artistic inspiration, focusing on the changes of seasons and reflections on the eternal cycle of life. In this context, 「川」 represents not only a physical element of the Japanese landscape but also a guiding thread of culture and human experience throughout Japanese history.
Synonyms and similar words
- 河川 (Kasen) - System of rivers and streams
- 河 (Kawa) - Rio em geral
- 川流 (Kawaryuu) - Fluxo do rio
- 水路 (Suiro) - Navigable routes, water systems
- 水道 (Suido) - Water channel, water supply system
- 河床 (Kashou) - Leito do rio
- 河口 (Kakou) - Estuary of the river, where the river meets the sea
- 河岸 (Kagan) - Margem do rio
- 河畔 (Kahank) - Area by the river, similar to the bank, but may imply a wider or more developed space.
- 河原 (Kawahara) - River meadow, open area along the riverbanks.
- 河川水系 (Kasensuiseki) - River system
- 河川網 (Kasengou) - River network, interconnections between rivers
- 河川地形 (Kasenchikei) - Geographic formations of rivers
- 河川流域 (Kasenyuui) - Watershed of a river
- 河川水位 (Kasensuii) - River water level
- 河川水量 (Kasensuiryou) - Amount of water in a river
- 河川水質 (Kasensuishitsu) - Water quality of the river
- 河川生態系 (Kasenseitaikei) - River ecosystem
- 河川治水 (Kasenchisui) - Management and control of river waters
- 河川改修 (Kasenkaishuu) - Reform and maintenance of the river system
Words related
Words with the same pronunciation: かわ kawa
kawaru
take the place; to relieve; be replaced; be exchanged; change places; Revele yourself; to be replaced
How to Write in Japanese - (川) kawa
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese (川) kawa:
Example Sentences - (川) kawa
Below are some example sentences:
Kawa wo matagaru
It means "to cross a river".
crossing the river
- 川 - rio
- を - object particle
- 跨がる - cross, go over
Sao wo motte kawa ni ikimashita
I went to the river with a fishing rod.
I went to the river with a stick.
- 竿 (さお) - fishing rod
- を - direct object particle
- 持って (もって) - loading
- 川 (かわ) - rio
- に - location particle
- 行きました (いきました) - was
Kawa wo wataru
Cross the river.
cross the river
- 川 - rio
- を - particle that indicates the object of the action
- 渡る - pass through
Kono kawa no nagare wa totemo utsukushii desu
The current of this river is very beautiful.
The flow of this river is very beautiful.
- この - demonstrative pronoun meaning "this"
- 川 - noun meaning "river"
- の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words
- 流れ - noun that means "flow" or "current"
- は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
- とても - adverb meaning "very"
- 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
- です - linking verb that indicates the polite and formal form of the present
Kono kawa wa asai desu
This river is shallow.
This river is shallow.
- この - demonstrative pronoun meaning "this"
- 川 - noun meaning "river"
- は - topic particle that indicates that the subject of the sentence is "this river"
- 浅い - Adjective that means "shallow"
- です - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality of the sentence
Kono kawa no ryūiki ni wa ōku no yasei dōbutsu ga seisoku shite imasu
Many wild animals inhabit this river basin.
- この川の流域には - indicates the location where something is located, in this case, the watershed of this river
- 多くの - means "many" in Japanese
- 野生動物 - Wild animals
- が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- 生息しています - verb that means "to inhabit" or "to live in a certain place"
Kawa no nagare wa tsune ni henka shiteimasu
The river flow is constantly changing.
- 川の流れ - Flowing river
- は - topic particle
- 常に - ever
- 変化しています - mudando
Kawa wo matagu
It means "cross the river".
crossing the river
- 川 - means "river" in Japanese
- を - object particle in Japanese
- 跨ぐ - verb meaning "to cross" or "to cross" in Japanese
Watashitachi wa kawa de gōryū shimashita
We meet at the river.
We join the river.
- 私たちは - personal pronoun "we"
- 川で - "in the river"
- 合流しました - verb "found oneself", in the past
Fune wo koide kawa wo watari masu
I'll row a boat across the river.
Laugh the boat and cross the river.
- 舟 - boat
- を - particle that indicates the object of the action
- 漕いで - remando
- 川 - rio
- を - particle that indicates the object of the action
- 渡ります - crossing
Other words of the same type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
