岩 礁(がんしょう)

がんしょう

noun

reef; rocky reef; submerged rocks

geography nature

1. reef; rocky reef; submerged rocks

Rocks in the sea at or just below the surface, dangerous to ships.

船(ふね)が岩礁(がんしょう)に乗(の)り上(あ)げた。

The ship ran aground on a reef.

この海域(かいいき)は岩礁(がんしょう)が多(おお)い。

This sea area has many reefs.

海面(かいめん)下(した)に隠(かく)れた岩礁(がんしょう)は航行(こうこう)の大(おお)きな危険(きけん)となる。

Reefs hidden beneath the sea surface pose a great danger to navigation.

Refers to rocks or rocky formations in the sea, either exposed above the water surface or submerged. Important in maritime contexts and geography. Japan, as an island nation, has many notable reefs and rocky coastlines.

Common collocations

岩礁(がんしょう)に乗(の)り上(あ)げる: to run aground on a reef
岩礁(がんしょう)地帯(ちたい): reef zone
暗礁(あんしょう): submerged reef (hidden reef)
珊瑚(さんご)礁(しょう): coral reef

Similar words

暗礁(あんしょう): hidden reef — specifically submerged and not visible; also used figuratively for hidden obstacles (暗礁(あんしょう)に乗(の)り上(あ)げる: to hit a snag)
珊瑚(さんご)礁(しょう): coral reef — made of coral rather than rock
岩場(いわば): rocky area — can refer to rocky terrain on land as well as in water

Related Words

Compare: 珊瑚礁(さんごしょう) (coral reef)

Compare: 岩場(いわば) (rocky area)

general

Added 2026.4.19 23:16 · Revised 2026.10.2 22:37

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