How to say "wetlands" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 湿原しつげんnounCovers 'wetlands' as extensive, open marshy grassland — a broad, boggy plain of grasses rather than a wooded swamp. Typical of nature reserves, hiking guides, and nature writing.
- 沢さわnounChiefly a mountain stream or valley; as 'wetlands' it means a swampy hollow or marshy valley bottom. Seldom the word for wetlands in the general ecological sense; often seen in place names.
Use 湿原 for wetlands in the sense of open marshy grassland, typical of nature writing and conservation; 沢 is chiefly a mountain stream or valley and fits 'wetlands' only as a swamp or marshy hollow.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
