Japanese word

堤防

Pronunciation

Romajiteibō

Meaning

  • nounlevee

Example

この堤防は町を洪水から守ります。ko no tei bō wa machi o kō zui ka ra mamo ri ma su

This levee protects the town from floods.

Illustration for 堤防 (levee)

More examples

市は洪水に備えて、古い堤防を補強しました。shi wa kō zui ni sona e te furu i tei bō o ho kyō shi ma shi ta

The city reinforced the old levee in preparation for floods.

Core concept

Refers to a built-up strip of earth or stone that holds back floodwater and protects land near a river or coast.

Common phrases

  • 堤防が決壊するtei bō ga kek kai su ru

    a levee gives way

  • 堤防を築くtei bō o kizu ku

    build a levee

  • 堤防を補強するtei bō o ho kyō su ru

    reinforce a levee

Similar words

堤tsutsumi: A raised barrier that holds back water and may be built along a river, lake, or coast.
土手dote: A raised bank beside a river, usually made of earth and used to contain water.

Definition in Japanese

洪水や高潮を防ぐため、川や海岸に沿って設ける土や石の構造物。kō zui ya taka shio o fuse gu ta me kawa ya kai gan ni so tte mō ke ru tsuchi ya ishi no kō zō butsu

Word origin

The compound 堤防 (teibō) joins 堤 (tei, "embankment") with 防 (bō, "to prevent"), directly reflecting its role in holding back water.

Usage tips

  • 堤防 (teibō) is common in reports about heavy rain, where damage to or repairs of these structures affect nearby communities.

Other meanings

  • embankmentnoun

Word lists with this word