滝

• Reading: たき
• Romaji: taki
• Kanji breakdown: 滝 (taki) — waterfall
• Pronunciation: /ta.ki/

Meaning

Waterfall. A cascade of water falling from a height.

Japan has many famous waterfalls that are popular tourist destinations, such as 那智の滝 (Nachi Falls) and 華厳の滝 (Kegon Falls). Waterfalls also hold spiritual significance in Shinto and Buddhist traditions, where standing under a waterfall (滝行) is a form of ascetic practice.

Examples

1. 山の中を歩いていたら大きな滝を見つけた。 While walking through the mountains, I found a large waterfall.
2. 那智の滝は日本三大名瀑の一つだ。 Nachi Falls is one of the three most famous waterfalls in Japan.
3. 滝の音がとても涼しげで気持ちよかった。 The sound of the waterfall was so refreshing and pleasant.

Usage Guide

Context: nature, travel, sightseeing

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. Originally written 瀧, the character depicts water (氵) rapidly falling (龍, dragon), evoking the powerful flow of a cascade.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal