洞穴(ほらあな)

ほらあな
noun
cave; cavern; grotto
nature
1. cave; cavern; grotto
A natural hollow or opening in rock, typically large enough to enter. Used in both everyday and geological contexts.
洞穴(ほらあな)の中(なか)は涼(すず)しかった。
It was cool inside the cave.
古代(こだい)の人々(ひとびと)は洞穴(ほらあな)に住(す)んでいた。
Ancient people lived in caves.
山(やま)の奥(おく)に大(おお)きな洞穴(ほらあな)があり、コウモリが何百匹(なんびゃっぴき)も住(す)みついていた。
Deep in the mountains there was a large cave where hundreds of bats had made their home.

Pronunciation

Also read as どうけつ in formal or scientific contexts. ほらあな is the standard everyday reading.

Common collocations

Similar words

洞窟(どうくつ) is the more common word for "cave" overall and refers to the same thing. 洞穴(ほらあな) is somewhat less frequent and has a more descriptive, old-fashioned feel.

Forms

洞(ほら) (cave) + 穴(あな) (hole).

Related Words

Compare: 岩穴(いわあな) (cave)
Compare: 巣穴(すあな) (burrow)
general
Added 2026.3.11 13:34 · Revised 2026.9.2 21:55
16000/16206_horaana