湾

• Reading: わん
• Romaji: wan
• Kanji breakdown: 湾 (wan) — bay, gulf, inlet
• Pronunciation: /wa.n/

Meaning

Bay; gulf; inlet. A body of water partially enclosed by land.

Common in Japanese place names such as 東京湾 (Tokyo Bay) and 大阪湾 (Osaka Bay). Also used as a suffix in place names for international bays like ペルシャ湾 (Persian Gulf). A fundamental geography term encountered in maps and news.

Examples

1. 東京湾にはたくさんの船が行き来している。 Many ships come and go in Tokyo Bay.
2. 湾の奥に小さな漁港がある。 There is a small fishing port at the back of the bay.
3. 湾に沿って美しい海岸線が続いている。 A beautiful coastline stretches along the bay.

Usage Guide

Context: geography, navigation, place names

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The character 湾 combines the water radical 氵 with 彎 (curved/bent), describing a curved body of water along a coastline.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal