How to say "eddy" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 渦うずnounA general noun for a swirl or whirlpool: an eddy in a river, a vortex of air. It stands for the swirling formation itself, as opposed to the motion described by 渦巻く.
- 渦巻くうずまくgodan verb, intransitive verbThe verb: use it where English uses 'eddy' as a verb — water eddying in a stream, smoke curling and swirling. It describes the swirling motion, not the swirl as a thing.
- 渦巻きうずまきnounA noun for a whirlpool, maelstrom, vortex or eddy, overlapping closely with 渦. It suggests the coiling, spiral form of the swirl, and it can also mean a spiral shape.
For an eddy as a thing — a whirlpool, swirl or vortex — use the noun 渦 or 「渦巻き」, which overlap closely; use the verb 「渦巻く」 when 'eddy' describes the motion of swirling water or smoke.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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