(けいこく)

けいこく
noun
valley, gorge, ravine
1. valley, gorge, ravine
A deep, narrow valley with steep sides, typically formed by river erosion. Often a scenic natural feature.
(うつく)しい渓谷(けいこく)(ある)く。
To walk through a beautiful gorge.
紅葉(こうよう)季節(きせつ)渓谷(けいこく)(おとず)れる(ひと)(おお)い。
Many people visit the gorge during autumn foliage season.
この渓谷(けいこく)何万年(なんまんねん)もかけて(かわ)(いわ)(けず)って(つく)られた。
This gorge was carved out by a river eroding rock over tens of thousands of years.

USAGE:
Japan has many famous 渓谷(けいこく), popular as destinations for hiking and autumn leaf viewing (紅葉狩(もみじが)り).

SIMILAR WORDS:
(たに) is a general word for "valley" — broader and less dramatic. 渓谷(けいこく) specifically refers to a narrow, steep-sided valley, often with a river at the bottom. 峡谷(きょうこく) means "canyon" and tends to describe even larger or deeper formations.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 渓谷(けいこく)沿()い: along the gorge
  • 渓谷(けいこく)ハイキング: gorge hiking