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.
急坂を登る。
To climb a steep hill.
この急坂は自転車では無理だ。
This steep slope is impossible by bicycle.
駅から家まで急坂が続くので、毎日の通勤がいい運動になっている。
Since there are steep hills all the way from the station to my house, my daily commute serves as good exercise.
Composed of 急 (steep/sudden) + 坂 (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:
- 急坂を登る: to climb a steep hill
- 急坂を下る: to go down a steep hill
- 急坂が続く: steep hills continue
- 急坂注意: caution: steep slope (road sign)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 坂道: sloping road — any road on a slope, not necessarily steep
- 上り坂: uphill slope — going up, any gradient
- 下り坂: downhill slope — going down, any gradient
- 勾配: gradient/grade — technical term for slope angle