How to say "basin" in Japanese

• 鉢はちJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounCovers the vessel sense: a bowl, plant pot, or basin-shaped container. In practice 鉢 is really a bowl or pot; for a washbasin it is not usually the word you want.
  はちには砂糖さとうが全然ぜんぜんない。↗

  There is no sugar in the bowl.
• 盆地ぼんちJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounThe geographic sense only: a low area of land surrounded by mountains, such as a valley basin where a town sits. Never use it for a basin as a container.
  河川かせんの盆地ぼんちには普通ふつう肥沃ひよくな農地のうちがある。↗

  The basin of a river usually has rich farmland.

Use 盆地 for the geographic sense of a low area surrounded by mountains; use 鉢 for a bowl-like vessel, though 鉢 usually means a bowl or plant pot rather than a basin.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 鉢はちbowl
• 盆地ぼんちbasin (e.g. between mountains)
• ベイスンbasin
• 窪地くぼちhollow
• 内湾ないわんenclosed bay
• つぼdepression