満潮

• Reading: まんちょう
• Romaji: manchou
• Kanji breakdown: 満 (man) — full, filled; 潮 (chō) — tide, tidal current
• Pronunciation: /man.tɕoː/

Meaning

High tide; flood tide. The state of the sea when the tidal water has reached its maximum height, before beginning to recede.

A noun describing the peak state of the tidal cycle, contrasted with 干潮 (low tide). Knowledge of tidal times is practically important in Japan's fishing and maritime communities, and also for coastal walking, clam-digging, and navigation. Beyond literal use, 満潮 occasionally appears figuratively to describe a peak moment of momentum — though this figurative use is less common than with 分水嶺.

Examples

1. 満潮の時間帯には、岩礁に挟まれた細い水路が完全に水没する。 During high tide, the narrow channel sandwiched between rock reefs is completely submerged.
2. 漁師たちは満潮の引き際に合わせて網を引き上げる習慣がある。 Fishermen have a custom of hauling in their nets to coincide with the ebbing of the high tide.
3. 満潮と干潮の差が激しいこの海峡では、航行には十分な注意が必要だ。 In this strait, where the difference between high and low tide is extreme, great care is required for navigation.

Usage Guide

Context: tides, fishing, coastal navigation

Tone: descriptive

Origin & History

Sino-Japanese compound. 満 (man) means full or filled to capacity, and 潮 (chō) means tide or tidal current. Together they describe the tidal state at maximum capacity.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal