How to say "gorge" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 谷たにnounThe everyday, general word for a valley. It covers gorges and ravines too, but its core image is simply low ground between mountains, so it is broader than English 'gorge'.
- 渓谷けいこくnounA valley with a river running through it. The natural word for scenic river gorges and ravines, where the stream is central to the image.
- 谷間たにまnounThe low ground between mountains; the everyday word when you picture a valley lying between hills, and also usable for a deep ravine or chasm. It is also used figuratively for cleavage.
- 峡谷きょうこくnounA deep, steep-sided gorge or canyon cut between cliffs; this is the closest single match for English 'gorge' when you mean a dramatic ravine rather than a gentle valley.
- nounThe loanword, from French 'gorge'. It is used chiefly in mountaineering and outdoor contexts for narrow, steep-sided gorges rather than valleys in general.
For a valley in general use 谷; for a scenic river valley 渓谷; for the low ground between mountains 谷間; for a deep steep-sided gorge 峡谷; 「ゴルジュ」 is the loanword used in mountaineering.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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