波止場(はとば)

はとば
noun
wharf; pier; quay
literarygeography
1. wharf; pier; quay; dock
A structure built along a waterfront where ships can load and unload cargo or passengers. Often evokes an atmospheric, slightly nostalgic image of port towns.
波止場(はとば)に船(ふね)が停(と)まっている。
A ship is moored at the wharf.
波止場(はとば)で魚釣(さかなつ)りをしている人(ひと)がいた。
There were people fishing at the pier.
夕暮(ゆうぐ)れの波止場(はとば)を散歩(さんぽ)するのが好(す)きだ。
I like strolling along the wharf at dusk.

Usage

A somewhat literary or evocative word. In everyday speech, 港(みなと) (port, harbor) is more common. 波止場(はとば) often appears in literature, songs, and nostalgic descriptions of port towns.

Common collocations

Forms

波止(はと) (breakwater) + 場(ば) (place). 波止(はと) comes from 波(なみ) (wave) + 止(と)める (to stop).

Related Words

Compare: 桟橋(さんばし) (pier, wharf, jetty)
Compare: 埠頭(ふとう) (wharf)
Compare: 船着(ふなつ)き場(ば) (boat landing)
general
Added 2026.3.6 18:55 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
15000/15348_hatoba