Japanese word

運河

Pronunciation

Romajiunga

Meaning

  • nouncanal

Example

船は運河を通ります。fune wa un ga o tō ri ma su

The ship goes through the canal.

Illustration for 運河 (canal)

More examples

この町には古い運河が残っています。ko no machi ni wa furu i un ga ga noko tte i ma su

An old canal remains in this town.

Core concept

Refers to a controlled water route created by people to provide passage for boats or to carry water between places.

Common phrases

  • 運河を通るun ga o tō ru

    pass through a canal

  • 運河を建設するun ga o ken setsu su ru

    build a canal

Similar words

水路suiro: A route through which water flows, including channels made for transport, drainage, or supply.
掘割horiwari: A channel dug through land to carry water, often for boats or drainage.

Definition in Japanese

自然の川とは別に、船の通行や用水のために掘って造った水路。shi zen no kawa to wa betsu ni fune no tsū kō ya yō sui no ta me ni ho tte tsuku tta sui ro

Word origin

This Sino-Japanese word joins 運 (un, "to carry") with 河 (ka, "river"), combining the idea of movement with that of a river.

Usage tips

  • In English, canal usually suggests a constructed waterway, while channel can also describe a natural passage for water or ships.

Word lists with this word