運河

• Reading: うんが
• Romaji: unga
• Kanji breakdown: 運 (un) — carry, transport, luck; 河 (ga/ka) — river
• Pronunciation: /ɯɴ.ɡa/

Meaning

Canal; a man-made navigable waterway.

Refers to artificial waterways built for navigation or irrigation. Famous examples include the Suez Canal (スエズ運河) and Panama Canal (パナマ運河). In Japan, Otaru Canal (小樽運河) is a well-known tourist spot. Appears in geography, history, and travel contexts.

Examples

1. 小樽運河は北海道の人気観光スポットだ。 Otaru Canal is a popular tourist spot in Hokkaido.
2. パナマ運河の建設は世界の貿易を大きく変えた。 The construction of the Panama Canal dramatically changed world trade.
3. 町の中心を流れる運河沿いを散歩した。 I took a walk along the canal that runs through the center of town.

Usage Guide

Context: geography, travel, history

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 運 (un, carry/transport) + 河 (ga/ka, river). Literally 'transport river' — a river made for carrying goods.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal