Translation guide
A waterway is a navigable body of water, such as a river, canal, or channel. This guide covers how to express this concept in Japanese, from general terms to specific types.
The speaker wants to refer to a waterway in a general sense, such as a route for boats or a natural or artificial channel.
The most direct and common translation for 'waterway'. It covers both natural and artificial waterways, like canals, channels, and water routes.
この水路は船が通れる。
This waterway is navigable by boats.
新しい水路が建設された。
A new waterway was constructed.
Refers specifically to a shipping route or sea lane, often used for maritime navigation. More about the path ships take than the physical channel itself.
その航路は大型船で混雑している。
That waterway is congested with large vessels.
Means 'canal', an artificial waterway. Use this when emphasizing the man-made nature.
パナマ運河は重要な水路だ。
The Panama Canal is an important waterway.
Simply means 'river'. Use only when the waterway is specifically a natural river, and the context is casual.
この川は昔、物資を運ぶ水路だった。
This river was once a waterway for transporting goods.
The speaker is talking about a system of rivers and canals used for transporting goods or people, often in a geographical or economic context.
Literally 'inland waterway'. Used in formal or technical contexts to describe navigable rivers and canals within a country.
内陸水路の整備が進んでいる。
The development of inland waterways is progressing.
Refers to waterways consisting of rivers and streams, often used in civil engineering or environmental contexts.
河川水路の管理は重要だ。
Management of river waterways is important.
The speaker wants to refer to a narrow waterway connecting two larger bodies of water, like a strait or a narrow channel.
Means 'strait' or 'channel' between two seas. Commonly used in geography.
ドーバー海峡は重要な水路だ。
The Strait of Dover is an important waterway.
Can mean 'waterway', 'channel', or 'strait', but also 'water supply' or 'aqueduct'. Context distinguishes. In geography, it's used for narrow sea passages.
Can also mean 'water supply' or 'tap water'. Ensure context makes the meaning clear.
水路 (suiro) is a physical waterway like a canal or river channel. 航路 (kōro) is a route or lane for ships, often on open water. Use 水路 for the infrastructure, 航路 for the path of travel.
水道 (suidō) commonly means 'water supply' or 'tap water'. Only use it for 'waterway' in clear geographical contexts, like straits or channels, and even then 海峡 or 水路 may be safer.
その街は歴史的な水路で知られている。
The city is known for its historic waterways.
彼らは内陸水路を旅した。
They traveled by inland waterway.
紀伊水道は航行が難しい。
The Kii Channel is difficult to navigate.