川

• Reading: かわ
• Romaji: kawa
• Kanji breakdown: 川 (sen/kawa) — river
• Pronunciation: /ka.wa/

Meaning

River; stream. A basic geography word for flowing bodies of water.

A noun referring to rivers and streams. Many Japanese cities developed along rivers, and river names often end in 川 (e.g., 荒川, Arakawa). The word also appears in the expression 川沿い (kawazoi, along the river). Used as a suffix in river names, it may be read as がわ.

Examples

1. この川はとてもきれいです。 This river is very clean.
2. 夏に川で泳ぎました。 I swam in the river in summer.
3. 川の近くに公園があります。 There is a park near the river.

Usage Guide

Context: nature, geography, outdoor activities

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 川 is a pictograph showing flowing water between two banks, one of the most ancient and recognisable characters.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal