Translation guide
The concept of depth in English covers physical distance downward or inward, intensity of qualities, and profoundness of thought or emotion. Japanese uses different words depending on the context.
The distance from the top or surface to the bottom of something, or the quality of being deep.
The most common and general word for physical depth. Used for water, holes, containers, etc.
この川の深さはどれくらいですか。
What is the depth of this river?
穴の深さを測ってください。
Please measure the depth of the hole.
Often used in technical or formal contexts, such as ocean depth, snow depth, or depth of a wound. Can also be used metaphorically.
水深深度は200メートルです。
The water depth is 200 meters.
The measurement from front to back, or the inward extent of a space (e.g., a room, shelf, or stage).
Refers to the depth of a space from front to back, such as a room, shelf, or stage. Also used metaphorically for depth of meaning or character.
この棚の奥行きは30センチです。
The depth of this shelf is 30 centimeters.
部屋の奥行きが足りない。
The room doesn't have enough depth.
The intensity, richness, or profundity of a quality, such as color, sound, taste, or feeling.
Refers to depth as a quality of richness or intensity, often used for colors, flavors, sounds, or emotions. Implies a sense of profundity or complexity.
この絵には色の深みがある。
This painting has depth of color.
彼の声には深みがある。
His voice has depth.
Emphasizes profound depth, often used for abstract concepts like knowledge, culture, or flavor. Suggests something that is not easily grasped at first.
日本文化の奥深さに感動した。
I was moved by the depth of Japanese culture.
The quality of being profound, insightful, or thorough in thinking, understanding, or personality.
Can be used metaphorically for depth of thought, love, or understanding. Often used with abstract nouns.
彼の知識の深さには驚かされる。
I am amazed by the depth of his knowledge.
彼女の愛情の深さを感じる。
I feel the depth of her affection.
A more literary term for profound depth, often used for philosophy, thought, or mystery.
Also used for abstract depth, emphasizing layers of meaning or complexity.
この小説の奥深さに引き込まれた。
I was drawn in by the depth of this novel.
Being deep inside a physical or metaphorical place, such as a forest, night, despair, or one's heart.
Means 'in the depths of' or 'deep inside'. Used for physical locations (forest, cave) and abstract places (heart, memory).
森の奥に小さな湖がある。
There is a small lake in the depths of the forest.
心の奥では彼を許していた。
Deep in my heart, I had forgiven him.
Used for being in the depths of something like despair or night, emphasizing a state of being deeply immersed.
絶望の深みに沈む。
Sink into the depths of despair.
When listing dimensions, depth is often expressed with specific terms.
Used when specifying the depth of an object in a set of dimensions (width, height, depth).
幅60cm、高さ40cm、奥行き30cmです。
It is 60cm wide, 40cm high, and 30cm deep.
Can also be used for depth in dimensions, especially for holes or containers.
この穴の深さは2メートルです。
The depth of this hole is 2 meters.
深さ is the general term for depth and can be used physically and metaphorically. 奥行き specifically refers to depth from front to back (like a room) and can also imply profundity. 深み is used for richness or intensity of qualities like color, flavor, or emotion.
The English phrase 'in depth' (as in 'study in depth') is not directly translated using 深さ. Instead, use adverbs like 詳しく (くわしく) or 徹底的に (てっていてきに). For example, 'study in depth' is 詳しく研究する, not 深さで研究する.
彼女の知識の深さに驚いた。
The depth of her knowledge surprised me.
彼の言葉には深遠な意味がある。
His words have profound depth.