Translation guide
A man-made waterway for boats or irrigation. In Japanese, the most common word is 運河 (unga), but other terms exist depending on context.
The standard word for a navigation canal. Used for famous canals like the Panama Canal.
The Panama Canal connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
A general term for waterway or channel, can include canals but also natural or artificial channels. Often used in technical contexts.
This waterway was built so that boats could pass through.
A small man-made channel for carrying water to fields or draining water.
Specifically an irrigation canal or ditch. Common in agricultural contexts.
An irrigation canal was built to bring water to the rice paddies.
A drainage canal or ditch, used to carry away excess water.
A ditch or gutter, often smaller and less formal than a canal. Can be used for drainage or sewage.
A tubular passage in the body, such as the ear canal or birth canal.
The English loanword カナル (kanaru) is not commonly used in Japanese. Stick to the native terms above.
大雨の後、排水路が溢れそうになった。
After the heavy rain, the drainage canal almost overflowed.
There's a ditch at the side of the road, so be careful.
The baby is born through the birth canal.