急 坂(きゅうざか)

きゅうざか

noun

steep slope; steep hill

1. steep slope; steep hill; steep incline

A road or path with a sharp incline or decline. Used for slopes that are notably steep and difficult to climb or descend.

急坂(きゅうざか)を登(のぼ)る。

To climb a steep hill.

この急坂(きゅうざか)は自転車(じてんしゃ)では無理(むり)だ。

This steep slope is impossible by bicycle.

駅(えき)から家(いえ)まで急坂(きゅうざか)が続(つづ)くので、毎日(まいにち)の通勤(つうきん)がいい運動(うんどう)になっている。

Since there are steep hills all the way from the station to my house, my daily commute serves as good exercise.

Composed of 急(きゅう) (steep/sudden) + 坂(さか) (slope/hill). Can also be read as きゅうはん in more formal or technical contexts, though きゅうざか is the standard reading.

Common collocations

急坂(きゅうざか)を登(のぼ)る: to climb a steep hill
急坂(きゅうざか)を下(くだ)る: to go down a steep hill
急坂(きゅうざか)が続(つづ)く: steep hills continue
急坂(きゅうざか)注意(ちゅうい): caution: steep slope (road sign)

Similar words

坂道(さかみち): sloping road — any road on a slope, not necessarily steep
上(のぼ)り坂(ざか): uphill slope — going up, any gradient
下(くだ)り坂(ざか): downhill slope — going down, any gradient
勾配(こうばい): gradient/grade — technical term for slope angle

Related Words

Compare: 坂道(さかみち) (sloping road)

Compare: 上(のぼ)り坂(ざか) (uphill slope)

Compare: 下(くだ)り坂(ざか) (downhill slope)

Compare: 急傾斜(きゅうけいしゃ) (steep slope)

general

Added 2026.4.6 3:32 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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