鍾乳洞(しょうにゅうどう)

しょうにゅうどう
noun
limestone cave; stalactite cave
1. limestone cave; stalactite cave; cavern
A cave formed in limestone by the dissolving action of water, typically featuring stalactites and stalagmites. Many such caves in Japan are popular tourist attractions.
鍾乳洞(しょうにゅうどう)を探検(たんけん)する。
To explore a limestone cave.
鍾乳洞(しょうにゅうどう)の中(なか)は夏(なつ)でも涼(すず)しい。
It's cool inside the limestone cave even in summer.
何万年(なんまんねん)もかけて形成(けいせい)された鍾乳洞(しょうにゅうどう)の美(うつく)しさに感動(かんどう)した。
I was moved by the beauty of the limestone cave, formed over tens of thousands of years.

WORD FORMATION:
鍾乳(しょうにゅう) (stalactite) + 洞(どう) (cave). The character 鍾(しょう) is uncommon outside this word.

FAMOUS EXAMPLES IN JAPAN:

  • 秋芳洞(あきよしどう): Akiyoshi-do (山口県(やまぐちけん))
  • 龍泉洞(りゅうせんどう): Ryūsen-do (岩手県(いわてけん))
  • 龍河洞(りゅうがどう): Ryūga-do (高知県(こうちけん))

RELATED TERMS:

  • 鍾乳石(しょうにゅうせき): stalactite (hangs from ceiling)
  • 石筍(せきじゅん): stalagmite (grows from floor)
  • 洞窟(どうくつ): cave (general term)

CULTURAL NOTE:
鍾乳洞(しょうにゅうどう) are popular tourist destinations in Japan, especially in summer because the cave interior stays cool year-round.

general
Added 2026.3.23 18:29 · Revised 2026.4.1 18:07
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