河口
kakō[ka̠ko̞ː]
The Japanese word for estuary is 河口 (kakō).
河口 is a formal term for estuary meaning river mouth.
Meaning: an ocean inlet also fed by fresh river water (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the kanji 河 (river) and 口 (mouth).
Which one should you use?
While 'estuary' in English often implies a wide, tidal area, the Japanese term 河口 (kakō) is used more broadly to refer to any point where a river meets a larger body of water, including simple river mouths.
How do you pronounce it?
kakō
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, the 'mouth' of a river is often associated with the concept of 縁 or 'connection' because it is where the inland world meets the vast ocean.
- The word 河口 is a 'kango', a word borrowed from Chinese, which explains why it sounds more formal than native Japanese words for water features.
- The character 口 meaning 'mouth' is used in Japanese to describe any opening or entrance, such as 出口 for 'exit' and 入口 for 'entrance'.
Examples in context
- 河口では潮の流れが速いです。kakou deva shio no nagare ga hayai desu.The tide flows fast at the estuary.
- 河口近くのキャンプ場に行きました。kakou chikaku no kyanpu-jou ni ikimashita.I went to a campsite near the estuary.
- この河口は魚がたくさんいます。kono kakou wa sakana ga takusan imasu.There are many fish in this estuary.
Example conversation
Misaki and Hiroto are looking at a map of a river.
- 美咲 Misakiここがこの川の河口ですね。koko ga kono kawa no kakou desu ne.This is the estuary of this river, isn't it?
- 大翔 Hirotoはい、ここで海につながっています。hai, koko de umi ni tsunagatte imasu.Yes, it connects to the sea here.
- 美咲 Misaki河口で釣りをしたいです。kakou de tsuri o shitai desu.I want to go fishing at the estuary.
- 大翔 Hirotoいい考えですね。行きましょう。ii kangae desu ne. ikimashou.That's a great idea. Let's go.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 河口, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
