1.
plunge pool; basin at the foot of a waterfall
The deep pool of water formed at the base of a waterfall by the force of the falling water. A natural feature found at many famous waterfalls.
滝壺の水は冷たかった。
The water in the plunge pool was cold.
子供たちが滝壺で泳いでいる。
The children are swimming in the plunge pool.
遊歩道を下っていくと、滝壺のすぐそばまで近づくことができ、水しぶきが顔にかかる。
If you walk down the trail, you can get right up close to the plunge pool, and the spray hits your face.
Composed of 滝 (waterfall) and 壺 (pot, basin). The metaphor of a pot captures the round, deep shape of the pool carved out by falling water.
USAGE:
Frequently encountered in nature tourism, hiking guides, and descriptions of scenic spots. Japan has many famous waterfalls (名瀑), and the 滝壺 is often highlighted as a destination point on hiking trails. Some 滝壺 are deep enough for swimming in summer, while others are used for 滝行 (waterfall meditation practice).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 滝壺に落ちる: to fall into the plunge pool
- 滝壺で泳ぐ: to swim in the plunge pool
- 滝壺の深さ: depth of the plunge pool
- 滝壺まで下りる: to descend to the plunge pool
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 滝: waterfall — the waterfall itself; 滝壺 is specifically the pool at its base
- 淵: deep pool (in a river) — a general term for a deep, still section of a river, not necessarily at the base of a waterfall
- 渓流: mountain stream — the flowing water in a valley or gorge