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.
A flood occurred due to heavy rain.
The flood damage was extensive.
Refers to flood damage or water-related disasters in general. Often used in news and formal contexts.
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.
The basement was flooded.
Refers to a river overflowing its banks. Often used in compound words like 河川氾濫 (river flooding).
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).
We were flooded with inquiries.
A metaphorical expression meaning 'a flood of ~'. Used for things like information, emotions, or objects. Somewhat literary.
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).
A flood of sadness came over me.
Memories flooded back and I cried.
Literally 'to surge or rush in', used metaphorically for emotions or memories that flood over you.
Means 'a wave of ~', used for emotions or sensations. Similar to English 'a wave of emotion'.
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.
The road was flooded.
Transitive phrase meaning 'to flood' something. Used when someone or something causes flooding.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be submerged' or 'to be flooded', often used for roads or fields. More formal than 水浸し.
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.
We are flooded with orders and can't keep up.
I feel like I'm drowning in a flood of information.
大量のメールが届いた。
I received a flood of emails.
A flood of anxiety washed over me.
He accidentally left the bath water running and flooded the floor.