Japanese · Nature & Environment
川
kawa
River
Beginnernoun
Definition
A natural watercourse flowing to the sea, a lake, or another river. Rivers are central to Japanese geography and many cities developed along them.
Example
川のそばで弁当を食べました。
I ate a bento box beside the river.
Etymology
The word 川 (kawa) has long-standing historical roots in the Japanese language, denoting rivers and waterways, crucial for transportation and agriculture throughout Japanese history.
How & Where It’s Used
川 is used in both spoken and written contexts, commonly appearing in discussions about geography and nature in both formal and informal settings.
Literary Heritage
古川の流れは、歴史を語る。