Refers to a shallow, fast-flowing part of a river. Often used in place names and nature descriptions.
川瀬の音が遠くから聞こえる。
The sound of the rapids can be heard from afar.
この川の川瀬は夏でも水が冷たい。
The water in this river's shallows is cold even in summer.
A native compound of 川, “river,” and 瀬, “shallows or rapids.” The reading かわせ retains the unvoiced initial of せ.