礁(しょう)

しょう
noun
reef; shoal; submerged rock
nature
1. reef; shoal; submerged rock
A ridge of rocks, coral, or sand at or near the surface of the water, posing a hazard to navigation.
船(ふね)が礁(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)には危険(きけん)な礁(しょう)が多(おお)い。
There are many dangerous reefs in these waters.
干潮(かんちょう)になると礁(しょう)が海面(かいめん)に現(あらわ)れ、潮(しお)だまりに小(ちい)さな魚(さかな)が見(み)えた。
At low tide, the reef emerged above the water surface, and small fish could be seen in the tide pools.

A standalone noun meaning reef or shoal, most commonly encountered as part of compound words.

Compounds

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 暗礁(あんしょう): hidden reef — submerged, not visible from the surface; also used figuratively for obstacles
  • 浅瀬(あさせ): shallows, shoal — shallow water area, may not involve rocks
  • 岩(いわ): rock — a general rock, not specifically in water

Related Words

Compare: 浅瀬(あさせ) (shallows, shoal)
Compare: 岩(いわ) (rock)
general
Added 2026.4.23 23:47 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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