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Kotomora

滝

waterfall, rapids, cascade

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 2,000Strokes13

Readings

On'yomi

  • ロウ
  • ソウ

Kun'yomi

  • たき

Nanori

  • らき

Meaning

滝 centers on water falling steeply: a waterfall, rapids, or cascade. The core idea is a dramatic downward rush of water.

Most common words using 滝

  • 滝たき
    N3

    waterfall

  • 滝川たきがわ

    rapids

  • 滝口たきぐち

    top of a waterfall

  • 白滝しらたき

    shirataki noodles; white noodles made from konjak starch, often used in sukiyaki

  • 小滝こだき

    small waterfall; cascade

  • 滝壷たきつぼ

    plunge basin; waterfall lake; plunge pool; basin under a waterfall

  • 女滝めだき

    smaller waterfall (of the two)

  • 枯滝かれたき

    dried up waterfall; dry waterfall

  • 滝に打たれるたきにうたれる

    to stand under a waterfall (as spiritual training)

  • 滝汗たきあせ

    profuse sweating

  • 滝登りたきのぼり

    (fish) climbing (swimming) up waterfall

  • 滝行たきぎょう

    ritual acts performed under a waterfall

  • 雄滝おだき

    greater waterfall (of the two)

Explore all words using 滝 →

Study

Etymology

滝 is the modern simplified form of 瀧. The older form combines 氵 (water) with 龍 (dragon), suggesting a dragon-like torrent of water. The modern right side 竜 is a simplification of 龍.

Meaning mnemonic

Water 氵 rushes down like a dragon 竜, creating a powerful waterfall.

Reading mnemonic

For ロウ, imagine a low, rumbling roar as the waterfall crashes down: low roar -> ロウ.