1.
riverbed; dry stony area beside a river
The flat, often rocky or sandy area along a river that is dry except during high water. A popular spot for picnics, fireworks, and camping in Japan.
河原で遊んだ。
I played down by the river.
夏には河原でバーベキューをする。
In summer we do barbecues on the riverbed.
河原にはごろごろと大きな石が転がっていた。
Big rocks were scattered all over the riverbed.
Written 河原 or 川原; both readings are かわら and refer to the same thing. Distinct from the homophone 瓦 (roof tile).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 河原の石: stones on the riverbed
- 河原で遊ぶ: to play by the river
- 河原で花火をする: to set off fireworks at the riverbed
- 河原沿い: along the riverbed
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 川岸: riverbank — the edge/border of the river, not the dry stony zone
- 河川敷: river floodplain — formal/administrative term for the same area