崖

• Reading: がけ
• Romaji: gake
• Kanji breakdown: 崖 (gake/gai) — cliff, precipice
• Pronunciation: /ɡa.ke/

Meaning

Cliff; a steep rock face or precipice.

A noun referring to a steep, near-vertical face of rock or earth. Common in geographical descriptions, hiking contexts, and disaster news (崖崩れ — landslide). Also used figuratively in the expression 崖っぷち (the edge of a cliff), meaning a desperate, last-chance situation.

Examples

1. 崖の上から海を見下ろすと絶景だった。 Looking down at the sea from the top of the cliff was a breathtaking view.
2. 大雨で崖が崩れて道路が通れなくなった。 Heavy rain caused the cliff to collapse, making the road impassable.
3. ハイキング中に崖の近くを歩くのは危険だ。 Walking near a cliff while hiking is dangerous.

Usage Guide

Context: nature, geography, disaster news

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 崖 combines 山 (mountain) radical with components suggesting a steep edge. Related to the concept of natural terrain hazards in Japan's mountainous geography.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal