Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of 'death by drowning' is most commonly expressed with the compound noun 溺死 (dekishi), which specifically means death from drowning. In everyday speech, people often describe the event using verbs like 溺れる (oboreru, 'to drown') or 水死する (suishi suru, 'to die by drowning'). The choice depends on formality and context.
To refer to the act or fact of dying from drowning, especially in news, reports, or formal contexts.
His cause of death was drowning.
A formal noun meaning 'death by drowning' or 'death in water'. Often used in police reports and news.
A drowned body washed up on the shore.
To describe the action of drowning that leads to death, in everyday or narrative contexts.
The most common verb for 'to drown'. It can mean struggling in water and potentially dying, but context usually makes it clear if death occurred.
He drowned in the river and died.
A more formal verb meaning 'to die by drowning'. Used in news or official statements.
The man drowned in the lake.
To refer to a drowning event or accident, often in news headlines or casual talk.
Both 溺死 (dekishi) and 水死 (suishi) mean 'death by drowning', but 溺死 specifically implies suffocation by water, while 水死 is a broader term for death in water (which could include other causes like hypothermia). In practice, they are often interchangeable in news contexts.
溺れる (oboreru) means 'to drown' but does not always imply death. To explicitly state death, add 死ぬ (shinu) as in 溺れて死ぬ (oborete shinu).
I almost drowned, but I was saved.
Please be careful of water accidents.