(こうずい)

こうずい
noun
flood
1. flood, inundation
An overflow of water that submerges land which is usually dry, often caused by heavy rain, river overflow, or dam failure.
大雨(おおあめ)(かわ)氾濫(はんらん)し、洪水(こうずい)()きた。
Heavy rain caused the river to overflow, resulting in a flood.
洪水(こうずい)(おお)くの(いえ)浸水(しんすい)した。
Many houses were flooded due to the flood.
洪水(こうずい)被害(ひがい)(ふせ)ぐため堤防(ていぼう)(つく)られた。
A levee was built to prevent flood damage.

洪水(こうずい) refers to large-scale flooding, typically caused by heavy rain, river overflow, or typhoons.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 洪水(こうずい)()きる: a flood occurs
  • 洪水(こうずい)被害(ひがい): flood damage
  • 洪水(こうずい)警報(けいほう): flood warning
  • 洪水(こうずい)見舞(みま)われる: to be hit by a flood
  • 洪水(こうずい)ハザードマップ: flood hazard map

RELATED TERMS:

  • 氾濫(はんらん): overflow, flooding (often of rivers)
  • 浸水(しんすい): inundation (water entering buildings)
  • 堤防(ていぼう): levee, embankment
  • 大雨(おおあめ): heavy rain

CULTURAL NOTE:
Japan experiences frequent flooding during the 梅雨(つゆ) (rainy season) and 台風(たいふう) (typhoon) season. 洪水(こうずい)ハザードマップ are widely distributed by local governments.