波(なみ)

なみ
noun
wave
1. wave
The rise and fall of water, especially in the ocean. Can also refer to waves in other contexts like sound waves or waves of emotion.
今日(きょう)は波(なみ)が高(たか)いです。
The waves are high today.
波(なみ)の音(おと)が聞(き)こえます。
I can hear the sound of waves.
海(うみ)の波(なみ)がきれいですね。
The ocean waves are beautiful, aren't they?
波(なみ)が強(つよ)いので、泳(およ)がないでください。
The waves are strong, so please don't swim.
子供(こども)たちは波(なみ)と遊(あそ)ぶのが大好(だいす)きで、毎日(まいにち)海(うみ)に行(い)きたがります。
The children love playing with the waves and want to go to the sea every day.

波(なみ) refers to waves, most commonly ocean waves, but extends to waves in many contexts.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 波(なみ)が高(たか)い: the waves are high
  • 波(なみ)が荒(あら)い: the waves are rough
  • 波(なみ)に乗(の)る: to ride a wave (literal); to ride a trend (figurative)

COMPOUND WORDS:

  • 津波(つなみ): tsunami
  • 電波(でんぱ): radio waves
  • 音波(おんぱ): sound waves
  • 脳波(のうは): brain waves

FIGURATIVE USES:
波(なみ) is often used metaphorically for fluctuations: 景気(けいき)の波(なみ) (economic cycles), 感情(かんじょう)の波(なみ) (waves of emotion).

core
Added 2026.1.7 21:39 · Revised 2026.2.19 11:19
00500/00868_nami