波・浪・濤|なみnami[2]odaka (tail-high)

JLPT N3approx.Common

Which spelling to use

波波（なみ） is the most common written form. Beginners should use 波 as their default when writing this word.

浪浪 is less common than 波. It is a kanji-only variant, so learners should choose 波 instead as the default written form.

濤濤 is less common than 浪 and 波, making it the least common of these forms. Learners should use 波 instead.

Definitions

nounwave; billow; ripple; breaker; swell
くだける波なみが泡あわを作つくった。↗
The breaking waves formed foam.
nounups and downs
noun(something) advancing step by step; (something) surging forward inopposably; succession of changes
noun, arttendency; (new) wave

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonym波動はどうWrittenWritten/formal: the phenomenon of vibration spreading through a medium, or periodic fluctuation. 「波」 is the everyday word for waves on water and physical waves.
Antonym凪なぎNeutralA calm at sea once the wind has dropped, set against the rising waves of 「波」; seen in set phrases like 「朝凪」 and 「夕凪」.

Use 「波」 for waves on the water, physical waves, or ups and downs in a figurative sense. For the phenomenon of vibration spreading, choose 「波動」; for a calm sea when the wind has died down, 「凪」.

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

Japanese definitions

（なみ）水面すいめん上じょうで上下じょうげ運動うんどうが伝達でんたつすること。又または、その上下じょうげ運動うんどう。
（なみ）ある媒質ばいしつを通とおして、振幅しんぷく運動うんどうが伝達でんたつすること、又またはその振幅しんぷく。
（波なみ蘭らんの第だい1字じ）ポーランドを意味いみする語ごを作つくる。
（波斯ぺるしゃの第だい1字じ）ペルシアを意味いみする語ごを作つくる。同国どうこくが「イラン」を自称じしょうするようになり用例ようれいは減へった。

Kanji in this word

波

English equivalents

ripple breaker wave

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

Say it right, write it right