干潮

• Reading: かんちょう
• Romaji: kanchou
• Kanji breakdown: 干 (kan/hi) — dry, ebb | 潮 (chou/shio) — tide
• Pronunciation: /kaɴ.tɕoː/

Meaning

Low tide; ebb tide. The state of the sea when the water level is at its lowest point in the tidal cycle.

A noun used in maritime, coastal, and meteorological contexts. The tidal cycle is described using 干潮 (low tide) and 満潮 (high tide), together forming the basis of 潮汐 (tidal phenomena). Understanding tidal timing is critical for fishing, coastal navigation, and clam digging. Some coastal paths and island shrines are only accessible at 干潮.

Examples

1. 干潮の時間に合わせて、家族で潮干狩りに出かけた。 Timing their visit to coincide with low tide, the family went out for clam digging.
2. 干潮になると岩場に生き物が現れ、子どもたちが夢中で観察していた。 At low tide, creatures appeared among the rocks, and the children were absorbed in observing them.
3. この参道は干潮時のみ歩いて渡ることができる。 This approach path can only be crossed on foot at low tide.

Usage Guide

Context: coastal life, fishing, maritime navigation, weather reporting

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 干 (kan, 'to dry, ebb') and 潮 (chou, 'tide'). 干 in this context represents the receding or drying of water as the tide falls.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal