(みなと)

みなと
noun
port, harbor
1. port, harbor
A place on the coast where ships load and unload.
(みなと)()える。
I can see the harbor.
(みなと)(ふね)()いた。
A ship arrived at the port.
横浜(よこはま)(みなと)有名(ゆうめい)だ。
Yokohama Port is famous.
(みなと)から貨物船(かもつせん)出発(しゅっぱつ)するのを()た。
I saw a cargo ship departing from the harbor.
この(まち)(むかし)から(みなと)として(さか)えていて、(いま)でも(おお)くの(ふね)()()している。
This town has prospered as a port since long ago, and even now many ships come and go.

(みなと) refers to a port or harbor where ships dock, load, and unload.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • (みなと)()く: to arrive at port
  • (みなと)()る: to leave port
  • (みなと)(まち): port town

COMPOUNDS:

  • 空港(くうこう): airport (literally "sky port")
  • 漁港(ぎょこう): fishing port
  • 貿易港(ぼうえきこう): trading port

PLACE NAMES:

  • 横浜(よこはま)(こう): Yokohama Port
  • 神戸(こうべ)(こう): Kobe Port
  • 港区(みなとく): Minato Ward (Tokyo)

READINGS:
In compound words, (みなと) often takes the on'yomi reading こう, as in 港湾(こうわん) (harbor/port facilities).