高潮(こうちょう)

こうちょう
noun
climax; high point; peak
abstract
1. climax; high point; peak
The moment when excitement, tension, or intensity reaches its highest level, often used for narratives, performances, or social events.
盛(も)り上(あ)がりが高潮(こうちょう)に達(たっ)した。
The excitement reached its climax.
議論(ぎろん)は高潮(こうちょう)に達(たっ)し、互(たが)いに一歩(いっぽ)も引(ひ)かなかった。
The debate reached its peak, and neither side would give an inch.
物語(ものがたり)が高潮(こうちょう)に達(たっ)する場面(ばめん)で、観客(かんきゃく)は息(いき)を飲(の)んで見守(みまも)った。
At the scene where the story reached its climax, the audience watched with bated breath.

Refers to the high point or climax of an event, emotion, or narrative. Combines 高(こう) (high) and 潮(ちょう) (tide), using the metaphor of a rising tide reaching its peak.

Usage

  • The most common pattern is 高潮(こうちょう)に達(たっ)する (to reach a climax/peak)
  • Used for narratives, emotions, events, and debates
  • Note: with the reading たかしお, the same kanji 高潮(たかしお) means "storm surge" (a weather/oceanographic term) — a completely different word

Common collocations

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: クライマックス (climax)
Compare: 頂点(ちょうてん) (summit, peak)
Compare: 山場(やまば) (crucial moment, climax)
general
Added 2026.4.2 21:53 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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