Translation guide
The English word 'flood' can refer to a natural disaster involving water, a large amount of anything, or a sudden overwhelming feeling. This guide helps learners express these ideas naturally in Japanese.
To talk about a flood as a natural event where water covers normally dry land.
The most common and general word for a flood caused by heavy rain or overflowing rivers.
大雨で洪水が起きた。
A flood occurred due to heavy rain.
洪水の被害は大きかった。
The flood damage was extensive.
Refers to flood damage or water-related disasters in general. Often used in news and formal contexts.
この地域は水害が多い。
This area has frequent flood damage.
Specifically means inundation or flooding of buildings or land, often due to heavy rain or river overflow. Focuses on the state of being submerged.
地下室が浸水した。
The basement was flooded.
Refers to a river overflowing its banks. Often used in compound words like 河川氾濫 (river flooding).
川が氾濫した。
The river flooded.
To describe a sudden large quantity of things, people, or information.
Means a rush or flood of people, calls, orders, etc. Often used with nouns like 注文 (orders) or 問い合わせ (inquiries).
問い合わせが殺到した。
We were flooded with inquiries.
注文が殺到して対応しきれない。
We are flooded with orders and can't keep up.
A metaphorical expression meaning 'a flood of ~'. Used for things like information, emotions, or objects. Somewhat literary.
情報の洪水に溺れそうだ。
I feel like I'm drowning in a flood of information.
Simply means 'large quantity'. Can be used in many contexts to express a flood of something, though it lacks the suddenness nuance.
To express a sudden strong emotion or a rush of memories.
Describes emotions welling up or flooding in. Commonly used with 感情 (emotions), 涙 (tears), 怒り (anger).
悲しみが込み上げてきた。
A flood of sadness came over me.
思い出が込み上げて涙が出た。
Memories flooded back and I cried.
Literally 'to surge or rush in', used metaphorically for emotions or memories that flood over you.
不安が押し寄せてきた。
A flood of anxiety washed over me.
Means 'a wave of ~', used for emotions or sensations. Similar to English 'a wave of emotion'.
疲労の波が押し寄せた。
A wave of fatigue flooded over me.
To describe the action of water covering an area, or causing something to be flooded.
Intransitive phrase meaning 'to be flooded' or 'to be covered with water'. Describes the state of being waterlogged.
道路が水浸しになった。
The road was flooded.
Transitive phrase meaning 'to flood' something. Used when someone or something causes flooding.
彼はうっかり風呂の水を出しっぱなしにして床を水浸しにした。
He accidentally left the bath water running and flooded the floor.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be submerged' or 'to be flooded', often used for roads or fields. More formal than 水浸し.
田んぼが冠水した。
The rice fields were flooded.
While 洪水 can be used metaphorically (e.g., 情報の洪水), it is not as flexible as English 'flood'. For a flood of people or calls, use 殺到. For emotions, use 込み上げる or 押し寄せる.
洪水 is the general term for a flood event. 水害 emphasizes the damage aspect and is common in news. 浸水 refers to the state of being underwater, often inside buildings.
大量のメールが届いた。
I received a flood of emails.