noun
Physical waves on water, from small ripples to large swells. The most common and basic meaning.
今日は波が高いから、泳がないほうがいい。
The waves are high today, so you'd better not swim.
海岸
The sound of waves washing up on the shore is pleasant.
noun
Idiomatic use for life's fluctuations, often in set phrases like 人生の波 (the waves of life).
人生には波があるものだ。
Life has its ups and downs.
noun
succession of changes; surging forward
Describes something advancing in waves or stages, often used for trends, movements, or historical shifts.
新技術の波が産業を変えつつある。
A wave of new technology is transforming the industry.
noun
trend; new wave
Used in art, fashion, and cultural contexts to refer to a new movement or tendency. Often appears as 〜の波.
その画家は新しい波の代表と見なされている。
That painter is regarded as a representative of the new wave.