岩穴(いわあな)

いわあな
noun
cave; cavern; rock cavity
1. cave; cavern; hole in a rock; rocky hollow
A natural cavity or hole formed in rock. Can range from a small hollow to a sizable cave.
岩穴(いわあな)に身(み)を隠(かく)した。
I hid in a cave.
岩穴(いわあな)の中(なか)は涼(すず)しかった。
Inside the cave it was cool.
崖(がけ)の途中(とちゅう)に小(ちい)さな岩穴(いわあな)があり、鳥(とり)が巣(す)を作(つく)っていた。
There was a small rock cavity partway up the cliff, where birds had made a nest.

A straightforward compound of 岩(いわ) (rock) + 穴(あな) (hole). Has a more natural, literary feel compared to the scientific term 洞窟(どうくつ). Often appears in folklore, mythology, and nature writing.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 岩穴(いわあな)に住(す)む: to live in a cave
  • 岩穴(いわあな)に隠(かく)れる: to hide in a cave

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 洞窟(どうくつ): cave, cavern (the standard, more formal/scientific term)
  • 洞穴(どうけつ)/洞穴(ほらあな): cave, grotto
  • 鍾乳洞(しょうにゅうどう): limestone cave, stalactite cave
general
Added 2026.4.3 6:26
21500/21698_iwaana