湖
mizuumi[mʲizɨɯ̟mʲi]
In Japanese, the word for lake is 湖 (mizuumi). Wiktionary also lists -湖 (-ko).
Meaning: body of water (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 湖 | mizuumi | [mʲizɨɯ̟mʲi] (narrow) | |
| -湖 | -ko | suffix |
The term is used to refer to a body of water.
Which one should you use?
The noun mizuumi is used when you are referring to a lake generally.
How does it change in a sentence?
The suffix -ko is used to form the names of specific lakes.
How do you pronounce it?
mizuumi
Did you know?
- The word 湖 is a linguistic hybrid, constructed by combining the characters for 'water' and 'sea'.
- Many Japanese lakes are associated with the legend of kappa, mythical water creatures known to inhabit these bodies of water.
- Lake Ashi 芦ノ湖 is famous for its 'pirate ships', which are tourist boats designed to look like European galleons despite being in Japan.
Examples in context
- 湖は凍っていた。The lake was frozen.This sentence shows how to describe a lake being frozen using 湖.Tatoeba #174484 by bunbuku, translation #239985 by CK
- この湖は浅いのよ。This lake is shallow.This sentence uses 湖 to describe a lake as being shallow.Tatoeba #10032756 by small_snow, translation #9182145 by CK
- この湖には魚が多い。Fish abound in this lake.This sentence uses 湖 to state that there are many fish in the lake.Tatoeba #222036 by KK_kaku_, translation #59360 by shekitten
- 今日は友達と近くの湖に行く予定です。Today, I have plans to go to a nearby lake with my friends.
- 110 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are planning a weekend trip in a car.
- 健太 Kenta週末、あの湖に行きませんか？Shuumatsu, ano mizuumi ni ikimasen ka?Would you like to go to that lake this weekend?
- 美咲 Misakiいいですね！そこでボートに乗りたいです。Ii desu ne! Soko de bo-to ni noritai desu.That sounds great! I want to ride a boat there.
- 健太 Kenta美咲さんは、自然が好きなんですね。Misaki-san wa, shizen ga suki nan desu ne.Misaki, you really love nature, don't you?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、健太さんと一緒に楽しみたいです。Hai, Kenta-san to issho ni tanoshimitai desu.Yes, I want to enjoy it together with you, Kenta.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lake” translations and entries 湖, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 湖, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
