沼
numa[nɯ̟]
The English word 'swamp' can be translated into Japanese as 沼 (numa). Wiktionary also lists 沼地 (numachi) and 湿地 (shitchi).
Meaning: type of wetland (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 沼 | numa | [nɯ̟] (narrow) [nɯ̟ma̠] (narrow) |
| 沼地 | numachi | [nɯ̟ma̠t͡ɕi] (narrow) [ɕo̞ːt͡ɕi] (narrow) |
| 湿地 | shitchi | [ɕi̥t̚t͡ɕi] (narrow) [ɕime̞ʑi] (narrow) |
| 沼沢 | shōtaku | [ɕo̞ːta̠kɯ̟] (narrow) |
The term refers to various types of wetlands or bodies of water. In modern internet slang, 沼 is also used metaphorically to describe a 'rabbit hole' or an obsession that is difficult to escape from.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 沼地 (numachi) is composed of 沼 (swamp/marsh) and 地 (land/ground).
Which one should you use?
There are several ways to specify the type of wetland. 沼 (numa) is often used to refer to a specific pond or a small body of standing water. 沼地 (numachi) literally means swampy land. 湿地 (shitchi) is a broader, more scientific term for 'wetland' that includes marshes, swamps and bogs, whereas 沼 refers more specifically to the water body itself. 沼沢 (shōtaku) is another way to describe a swamp or marshland.
How do you pronounce it?
numa
Did you know?
- The term 沼 may be cognate with the Ainu word nup which describes a fen or a flat plain.
Examples in context
- 沼地に迷い込むTo get lost in a swamp
- もう何回も沼地に迷い込んだよ。I've gotten lost in swamps so many times already.
- この沼には多くの魚が住んでいます。Kono numa ni wa ooku no sakana ga sunde imasu.Many fish live in this swamp.
- 古い沼の近くを散歩しましょう。Furui numa no chikaku o sanpo shimashou.Let's take a walk near the old swamp.
- 雨が降って、大きな沼ができました。Ame ga futte, ookina numa ga dekimashita.It rained, and a large swamp was formed.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a map in a park.
- 結衣 Yuiこの地図には大きな沼が描いてありますね。Kono chizu ni wa ookina numa ga egaite arimasu ne.A large swamp is drawn on this map, isn't it?
- 蓮 Renはい、あそこに行ってみませんか？Hai, asoko ni itte mimasen ka?Yes, why don't we try going there?
- 結衣 Yui蓮さんは、沼に興味があるんですか？Ren-san wa, numa ni kyoumi ga aru n desu ka?Ren, are you interested in swamps?
- 蓮 Renええ、自然を観察したいんです。Ee, shizen o kansatsu shitai n desu.Yes, I want to observe nature.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “swamp” translations and entries 沼, 沼地, 湿地, 沼沢, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 沼, CC BY-SA 4.0.
