沢(さわ)

さわ
noun
mountain stream; marsh; swamp
1. mountain stream; valley stream
A small stream flowing through a mountain valley, often rocky and surrounded by vegetation.
沢(さわ)の水(みず)がきれいだ。
The water in the mountain stream is clear.
沢(さわ)を登(のぼ)るのは冒険(ぼうけん)のようだ。
Climbing up the mountain stream is like an adventure.
夏(なつ)になると沢(さわ)で水遊(みずあそ)びをする人(ひと)が多(おお)い。
In summer, many people play in mountain streams.
2. marsh; swamp; wetland
A low-lying wet area with standing water and vegetation.
この辺(あた)りは沢(さわ)が多(おお)い。
There are many marshy areas around here.
沢(さわ)地(ち)には独特(どくとく)の植物(しょくぶつ)が生(は)えている。
Distinctive plants grow in marshy areas.
森(もり)の奥(おく)にある沢(さわ)では珍(めずら)しい野鳥(やちょう)が観察(かんさつ)できる。
In the marshes deep in the forest, you can observe rare wild birds.

A basic nature word with two related meanings. In the mountain stream sense, it refers to small rocky streams in valleys — the activity of 沢登(さわのぼ)り (stream climbing/canyoneering) is a popular outdoor pursuit in Japan. The swamp/marsh sense is common in place names. Also very frequently seen as a component in surnames (沢田(さわだ), 大沢(おおさわ), etc.).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 沢登(さわのぼ)り: stream climbing, canyoneering
  • 沢(さわ)水(みず): stream water
  • 沢(さわ)沿(ぞ)い: along the stream
  • 沢(さわ)地(ち): marshland

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 渓流(けいりゅう): mountain stream — a more formal, literary synonym for the stream sense
  • 湿地(しっち): wetland, marshland — a more formal term for the marsh sense
  • 小川(おがわ): brook, small stream — a gentler stream, usually in flatter terrain
general
Added 2026.4.7 23:18
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