How to say "canyon" in Japanese

• 峡谷きょうこくCommon
  nounCovers a deep, steep-sided gorge or canyon carved by erosion; the straightforward word for dramatic landforms like the Grand Canyon. Use it for large scale gorges in geography or travel contexts.
• ゴルジュCommon
  nounA loanword used mainly in mountaineering and stream-descending contexts for a narrow, steep gorge. For everyday talk about a canyon it is marginal; 峡谷 or 渓谷 is usually the word you want.
• 谷たにJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe plain, general word for a valley, and only loosely a canyon. Use it for everyday valleys of any size; it does not by itself convey the sheer cliff walls of a canyon.
  谷たには彼かれの呼び声よびごえでこだました。↗

  The valley echoed with his call.
• 渓谷けいこくCommon
  nounA valley with a river running through it, often scenic and steep-sided; the natural choice for a river gorge or scenic canyon visited for views and hiking.

For a steep river-carved gorge choose 峡谷 or 渓谷 (the latter emphasizes the river flowing through), 谷 is the plain everyday word for any valley, and 「ゴルジュ」 is a technical/mountaineering loanword for gorges.

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

• 峡谷きょうこくgorge
• ゴルジュgorge
• 谷たにvalley
• 渓谷けいこくvalley (with a river running through it)
• キャニオンcanyon