土手

• Reading: どて
• Romaji: dote
• Kanji breakdown: 土 (do) — earth, soil, ground; 手 (te) — hand (suffix for constructed features)
• Pronunciation: /do.te/

Meaning

Embankment; levee; bank. A raised earthen wall built along rivers or coastlines for flood prevention.

A noun referring to man-made earthen embankments, particularly those constructed along rivers to prevent flooding. 土手 are common features of the Japanese landscape and often serve as walking or cycling paths. In everyday life, 土手 can also refer to the grassy slopes along riverbanks where people gather for hanami or recreation. A familiar sight in both urban and rural Japan.

Examples

1. 川沿いの土手をジョギングするのが日課だ。 Jogging along the riverbank embankment is part of my daily routine.
2. 大雨で土手が決壊する恐れがある。 There's a risk of the levee breaking due to heavy rain.
3. 春になると土手に菜の花が一面に咲く。 In spring, canola flowers bloom all along the embankment.

Usage Guide

Context: geography, nature, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From native Japanese: 土 (do, earth/soil) + 手 (te, hand — here used as a suffix indicating a constructed thing). Literally 'earthen structure' — a bank built from soil.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal