Japanese word

湖

Pronunciation

Romajimizuumi

Meaning

  • nounlake

Example

夏に湖へ行きます。natsu ni mizuumi e i ki ma su

I go to the lake in summer.

Illustration for 湖 (lake)

More examples

朝、湖の周りを散歩します。asa mizuumi no mawa ri o san po shi ma su

I take a walk around the lake in the morning.

Core concept

Presents a large, still body of inland water held within surrounding land.

Common phrases

  • 湖に行くmizuumi ni i ku

    go to the lake

  • 湖で泳ぐmizuumi de oyo gu

    swim in the lake

  • 湖のほとりmizuumi no ho to ri

    lakeside

Similar words

池ike: A smaller body of still water, often created or managed by people.
沼numa: A shallow body of water with muddy ground and many plants.

Definition in Japanese

陸地に囲まれた大きな水域。riku chi ni kako ma re ta ō ki na sui iki

Word origin

The Japanese word 湖 (mizuumi) uses the native elements 水 (mizu, "water") and 海 (umi, "sea"), joining the ideas of water and a sea-like expanse.

Usage tips

  • The place name 琵琶湖 (Biwa-ko) shows that 湖 (mizuumi) can be read ko when it appears at the end of a Japanese lake name.

Word lists with this word