谷
tani[ta̠ɲ̟i]
The Japanese word for 'dale' is 谷 (tani).
谷 is a noun used to refer to a valley or a dale.
Meaning: valley (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
tani
Did you know?
- While 谷 means 'valley', the word 谷間 (tanima) is frequently used as a common euphemism to refer to cleavage.
- The word 谷 can be read as yatsu, a reading that refers to a specific type of small, shallow valley or a ravine. This archaic reading is still found in many Japanese place names.
- Japanese has a specific term, 谷底 (tanizoko), which refers not just to the bottom of a valley but is sometimes used metaphorically to describe the lowest point of one's fortunes.
Examples in context
- この谷はとても美しいです。Kono tani wa totemo utsukushii desu.This valley is very beautiful.
- 谷の底に川が流れています。Tani no soko ni kawa ga nagarete imasu.A river flows at the bottom of the valley.
Example conversation
Hiroto and Misaki are hiking in the mountains.
- 大翔 Hiroto見て、あそこに深い谷があるよ。Mite, asoko ni fukai tani ga aru yo.Look, there is a deep valley over there.
- 美咲 Misaki本当だ。景色がとてもきれいだね。Hontou da. Keshiki ga totemo kirei da ne.You're right. The scenery is very beautiful.
- 大翔 Hiroto谷の下まで降りてみようか。Tani no shita made orite miyou ka.Shall we try going down to the bottom of the valley?
- 美咲 Misakiいいよ。ゆっくり行こう。Ii yo. Yukkuri ikou.Okay. Let's go slowly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dale” translations and entries 谷, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
