波
nami[na̠mʲi]
The English phrase waves is translated into Japanese as 波 (nami).
Did you know?
- The word 波 is used to describe the 'wavelength' of sound or light as 波長, and when two people have a 'matching wavelength', they are said to get along perfectly.
- The kanji 波 is used in the word 波蘭, which is an archaic 'ateji' spelling for 'Poland'.
- Japanese uses the term 波打ち際 to describe the specific 'wave-beating edge', referring to the exact line where the water meets the sand.
Examples in context
- 波が立ち始めた。The waves are rising.Tatoeba #121664 by small_snow, translation #282341 by sundown
- 今日は波が高い。The waves are high today.Tatoeba #171519 by tommy__san, translation #242955 by CK
- 波に足をすくわれた。The waves carried me off my feet.Tatoeba #121662 by small_snow, translation #282343 by Luornu
- 大きな波Big waves
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are standing on the beach.
- 陽太 Yota見て、波がとても静かだよ。Mite, nami ga totemo shizuka dayo.Look, the waves are very calm.
- 美咲 Misaki本当だね。泳ぐのにちょうどいいよ。Hontou dane. Oyogu no ni choudo ii yo.You're right. It's perfect for swimming.
- 陽太 Yota波打ち際まで行ってみようか。Namiuchigiwai made itte miyou ka.Shall we go down to the water's edge?
- 美咲 Misakiうん、行こう！Un, ikou!Yeah, let's go!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 波, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 波, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
