Japanese word

沼

Pronunciation

Romajinuma

Meaning

  • nounswamp

Example

この森には大きな沼があります。ko no mori ni wa ō ki na numa ga a ri ma su

There is a large swamp in this forest.

Illustration for 沼 (swamp)

More examples

雨が続くと、沼の水位が上がります。ame ga tsuzu ku to numa no sui i ga a ga ri ma su

When the rain continues, the water level of the swamp rises.

Core concept

Refers to a small, shallow body of stagnant water whose muddy surroundings may form a marsh or wetland.

Common phrases

  • 沼にはまるnuma ni ha ma ru

    get stuck in a swamp

  • 沼に落ちるnuma ni o chi ru

    fall into a swamp

  • 沼のほとりnuma no ho to ri

    the edge of a swamp

Similar words

泥沼doronuma: A swamp with thick, soft mud and shallow stagnant water.
池ike: A relatively small body of still water, either natural or made by people.
水たまりmizutamari: A temporary shallow pool formed when rainwater or floodwater collects in a low place.

Definition in Japanese

泥深く、水がよどんだ、周囲を陸地に囲まれた自然の水域。doro buka ku mizu ga yo do n da shū i o riku chi ni kako ma re ta shi zen no sui iki

Word origin

沼 (numa) is a native Japanese word; its original etymology is uncertain, while 沼 (shō, "marsh") was adopted as its written form because of the shared meaning.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese online speech, 沼 (numa) can describe an interest that keeps drawing someone in, and 沼る (numaru) means becoming deeply absorbed in it.

Other meanings

  • marshnoun
  • bognoun
  • pondnoun

Word lists with this word