峡谷

• Reading: きょうこく
• Romaji: kyoukoku
• Kanji breakdown: 峡 (kyou) — gorge, narrow pass | 谷 (koku/tani) — valley
• Pronunciation: /kʲoː.ko.kɯ/

Meaning

Gorge; canyon; ravine. A deep, narrow valley carved by erosion, typically with steep rocky walls on both sides.

A noun used in geography and travel contexts. Japan has numerous 峡谷 formed by rivers cutting through volcanic or sedimentary rock over millennia. Famous examples include Kurobe Gorge (黒部峡谷) and various formations in the Japanese Alps. The word combines two characters for narrowness and valley, emphasising the confined, dramatic nature of the terrain.

Examples

1. 黒部峡谷を流れる川の轟音が、切り立った岩壁に反響していた。 The roar of the river flowing through Kurobe Gorge echoed off the sheer rock faces.
2. 峡谷の底から空を見上げると、細長い青い帯が見えるだけだった。 Looking up at the sky from the bottom of the gorge, all that was visible was a narrow strip of blue.
3. 深い峡谷に沿って続くトレッキングコースは、上級者向けとされている。 The trekking course that follows the deep gorge is considered suitable only for advanced hikers.

Usage Guide

Context: geography, mountaineering, travel, geology

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 峡 (kyou, 'gorge, narrow mountain pass') and 谷 (koku/tani, 'valley'). Both characters individually describe geographical constrictions; together they form a precise term for dramatic canyon landscapes.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal