河川
A formal and technical term referring to rivers and streams as a whole. It is primarily used in administrative, geographical, and news contexts to describe waterways and their management.
Examples
3 of 5この地域には多くの河川があります。
There are many rivers in this region.
大雨の影響で、河川が氾濫する恐れがあります。
Due to heavy rain, there is a risk that the rivers will overflow.
あの河川敷でバーベキューをしよう。
Let's have a barbecue on that riverbed.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Visualize two kanji for water: 河 (big river) and 川 (three lines of flowing water) joining together to form a formal 'River System'.
Quick Quiz
ニュースで「＿＿＿の増水に注意してください」と言っていました。
Correct!
The correct answer is: 河川
Examples
この地域には多くの河川があります。
everydayThere are many rivers in this region.
大雨の影響で、河川が氾濫する恐れがあります。
formalDue to heavy rain, there is a risk that the rivers will overflow.
あの河川敷でバーベキューをしよう。
informalLet's have a barbecue on that riverbed.
日本の主要な河川の長さを比較する。
academicCompare the lengths of Japan's major rivers.
河川改修工事の契約を締結した。
businessWe concluded a contract for river improvement works.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
河川の氾濫
River flooding
河川改修
River improvement/rehabilitation
河川愛護
River protection/conservation
Often Confused With
川 (kawa) is the general, everyday word for a river, while 河川 (kasen) is the technical or formal term used in news and documents.
Usage Notes
Use 河川 when reading news reports, weather warnings, or studying geography. In daily conversation about going to the water, use 川 (kawa) instead.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use this word in casual speech where it sounds overly robotic or like a news reporter.
Memory Tip
Visualize two kanji for water: 河 (big river) and 川 (three lines of flowing water) joining together to form a formal 'River System'.
Word Origin
Sinitic compound of 'ka' (large river/Yellow River style) and 'sen' (stream/three-lined river).
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
Japan's mountainous geography means its 河川 (rivers) are typically short and fast-flowing compared to continental rivers.
Quick Quiz
ニュースで「＿＿＿の増水に注意してください」と言っていました。
Correct!
The correct answer is: 河川
Related Words
仮説
B1仮説とは、ある現象を説明するために、真偽はともかくとして、とりあえず設定した仮の答えのことです。科学的方法の出発点となり、実験や観察によって検証される必要があります。
unknown
A1A student attending a university or college for higher education. In Japan, it specifically refers to undergraduate students in a four-year university or a two-year junior college.
革命
A1A fundamental and sudden change in political power or social structure, often involving a shift in governance. It also refers to a major, transformative shift in technology, thought, or a specific field that completely alters how things are done.
維持
A1The act of keeping something in its current state, condition, or level over a period of time. It is commonly used to describe the maintenance of health, systems, relationships, or the status quo.
縮小
A1The act of reducing the size, scale, or scope of something. It is commonly used when talking about downsizing operations, shrinking digital images, or narrowing the range of a project.
契約
A1A legally binding agreement between two or more parties that specifies terms and conditions. It is commonly used for mobile phones, apartment rentals, and employment agreements.
取引
A1A transaction or business deal involving the exchange of money, goods, or services. It refers to the process of doing business with another party or making a trade.
借金
A1A sum of money that is borrowed from a person or an institution and is expected to be paid back. It refers to the state of owing money or the specific amount of debt accumulated.
予算
A1A budget or an estimate of the amount of money available for a specific purpose. It refers to the financial plan or limit set before spending occurs in personal, business, or government contexts.
賃金
A1Chingin refers to the money paid to a worker in exchange for labor or services, similar to wages. It is frequently used in formal, legal, and economic contexts, particularly when discussing minimum wage or labor statistics.
Comments (0)
Login to CommentStart learning languages for free
Start Learning Free