Translation guide
A barrier built across a river to hold back water. In Japanese, the most common word is ダム, a loanword from English. There is also a native Japanese word 堰 (せき), which often refers to a smaller weir or barrier, not necessarily a large dam. For large hydroelectric or flood-control dams, ダム is standard.
The learner wants to refer to a large structure that blocks a river to create a reservoir, generate electricity, or prevent flooding.
The standard word for a large dam, used in most contexts including hydroelectric dams, flood control dams, and reservoirs.
このダムは洪水を防ぐために作られました。
This dam was built to prevent floods.
ダムの水が少なくなっている。
The water level in the dam is getting low.
A native Japanese word for a barrier across a river, but often refers to a smaller weir or sluice gate rather than a massive dam. Can be used for traditional irrigation structures.
川に堰を作って水を田んぼに引いた。
They built a weir in the river to draw water into the rice paddies.
The learner wants to refer to a small dam-like structure, often for irrigation or controlling water flow in a small river.
The most natural word for a small weir or barrier, especially in traditional or agricultural contexts.
この堰は江戸時代からあるそうです。
This weir is said to date back to the Edo period.
A more specific term for an irrigation weir, often used in historical or technical contexts.
The learner wants to refer to a dam built by beavers.
The straightforward way to say 'beaver dam'. ビーバー is the loanword for beaver.
川でビーバーのダムを見つけた。
I found a beaver dam in the river.
ダム is a modern loanword used for large-scale dams like hydroelectric dams. 堰 (せき) is a native word for smaller barriers, often used for irrigation or controlling water flow in smaller rivers. Using ダム for a small weir might sound odd, and using 堰 for a massive dam is uncommon.
黒部ダムは日本で有名なダムです。
Kurobe Dam is a famous dam in Japan.
この堰は農業用水のためにある。
This weir is for agricultural water.
The old irrigation weir is still in use.