せせらぎ

noun

murmuring stream; babbling brook

literarynature

1. murmuring stream, babbling brook

A small, shallow stream that makes a gentle, rippling sound as it flows. Also refers to the sound itself.

せせらぎの音(おと)が聞(き)こえる。

I can hear the sound of a babbling brook.

森(もり)の中(なか)のせせらぎに癒(いや)された。

I was soothed by the murmuring stream in the forest.

窓(まど)を開(あ)けると、近(ちか)くの川(かわ)のせせらぎが静(しず)かに響(ひび)いていた。

When I opened the window, the gentle murmur of the nearby river echoed softly.

せせらぎ refers to both a small, shallow stream and the gentle sound it makes. The word itself is onomatopoeic in origin.

Register

A poetic, evocative word frequently used in literature, nature descriptions, and travel writing. Conveys a peaceful, calming atmosphere. Rarely used in everyday casual speech — 小川(おがわ) (brook) is more common for the stream itself.

Common collocations

せせらぎの音(おと): the sound of a murmuring stream
小川(おがわ)のせせらぎ: the babbling of a brook
せせらぎに耳(みみ)を傾(かたむ)ける: to listen to the murmur of a stream
せせらぎが聞(き)こえる: to hear a babbling stream

Similar words

小川(おがわ): a small stream (neutral, everyday word)
せせらぎ: emphasizes the gentle sound and poetic quality

Related Words

Related: 小川(おがわ)

general

Added 2026.2.7 17:30 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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