Translation guide
A sewer is an underground pipe or tunnel that carries waste water and sewage away from buildings to treatment facilities. In Japanese, the most common word is 下水道 (gesuidō), which refers to the whole sewer system. For the physical pipe, 下水管 (gesuikan) is used. This guide covers how to talk about sewers, sewer systems, and related concepts in natural Japanese.
Referring to the network of pipes and tunnels that carry sewage and rainwater underground.
The standard term for a sewer system or sewerage. It encompasses the entire infrastructure, including pipes, treatment plants, and drainage. Used in official, technical, and everyday contexts.
この町は下水道が完備されている。
This town has a complete sewer system.
下水道の工事で道が通行止めだ。
The road is closed due to sewer construction.
Literally 'sewage' or 'wastewater'. Often used in compounds like 下水管 (sewer pipe) or 下水処理 (sewage treatment). Can also refer to the sewer system in some contexts, but 下水道 is more precise for the infrastructure.
下水が詰まって流れない。
The sewer is clogged and won't drain.
Referring to the actual pipe that carries waste water, especially in a building or under a street.
A sewer pipe. This is the specific term for the pipe itself, whether it's a main sewer line or a lateral connection.
下水管が破裂して道路が水浸しになった。
A sewer pipe burst and flooded the road.
家の下水管を交換する必要がある。
We need to replace the house's sewer pipe.
A drain pipe or waste pipe. More general than 下水管; can refer to any pipe that carries away waste water, including from sinks or washing machines. Often used in household contexts.
排水管が詰まったので修理を頼んだ。
The drain pipe was clogged, so I called a repairman.
Referring to the underground space where people might go, often in stories or movies.
Can also refer to the underground tunnel itself. In contexts like 'walking through the sewers', 下水道 is used.
彼は下水道に逃げ込んだ。
He escaped into the sewer.
Manhole. The entrance to a sewer. Often used when talking about accessing the sewer from the street.
Referring to animals living in sewers, especially rats.
Literally 'sewer rat'. The standard way to say it.
下水道のネズミが大量発生している。
There's a huge infestation of sewer rats.
Brown rat or Norway rat, commonly associated with sewers. More colloquial and vivid than 下水道のネズミ.
ドブネズミがゴミをあさっている。
A sewer rat is rummaging through the garbage.
下水道 (gesuidō) is the sewer system or infrastructure. 下水 (gesui) is sewage or wastewater. 排水 (haisui) is drainage or waste water from a building. Use 下水道 for the public system, 下水 for the contents, and 排水 for household drainage.
The English word 'sewer' can also mean a person who sews. That is 裁縫師 (saihōshi) or 縫い手 (nuite) in Japanese. This guide only covers the drainage meaning.
マンホールから下水道に入る。
Enter the sewer through a manhole.