1.
lake
A large body of water surrounded by land. Bigger than a pond (池).
湖 refers to a lake - a large body of water surrounded by land.
ETYMOLOGY:
Composed of 水 (water) + 海 (sea), literally "water-sea."
SIZE DISTINCTION:
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
FAMOUS JAPANESE LAKES:
- 琵琶湖: Lake Biwa (largest in Japan)
- 河口湖: Lake Kawaguchi (near Mt. Fuji)
- 十和田湖: Lake Towada
NOTE:
Lake names often use ~湖 suffix: 琵琶湖, 河口湖.