うねり

う

ね

り

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

usually written using kana alone

Describes a wavy, winding shape or motion, such as a road, river, or terrain. Also used for abstract undulating patterns.

この道みちはうねりが多おおくて運うん転てんしにくい。
This road has many curves and is hard to drive on.
川かわのうねりが美うつくしい風ふう景けいを作つくっている。
The meandering of the river creates a beautiful landscape.

noun

swell; surge; billow

usually written using kana alone

Specifically refers to the long, rolling swell of the sea, often after a storm or in open water. Distinct from ordinary waves (波).

台たい風ふうの後あと、海かい岸がんには大おおきなうねりが押おし寄よせた。
After the typhoon, large swells surged onto the shore.
サーファーはうねりを待まっている。
The surfers are waiting for a swell.

See all 11 example sentences ›

Usage patterns

〈場ば所しょ〉にうねりが起おきるfor a swell to arise (at sea)
台たい風ふうの影えい響きょうで海うみに大おおきなうねりが起おきた。
A large swell arose in the sea due to the typhoon.
〈場ば所しょ〉がうねりを描えがくfor a road or river to form a winding shape
その山やま道みちは美うつくしいうねりを描えがいていた。
The mountain road formed a beautiful winding curve.
うねりに乗のるto ride a swell (as in surfing)
サーファーは大おおきなうねりに乗のって沖おきへ向むかった。
The surfer rode a big swell out to sea.

Kanji

畝furrow, thirty tsubo, ridge

Related words

波なみN3sense 2
波 is the general word for any wave, while うねり refers specifically to a broad, rolling swell, often far from shore.
蛇だ行こう sense 1
蛇行 emphasizes a snake-like, twisting meander of a road or river, while うねり suggests a smoother, wave-like undulation.
波は動どう
うねり is a natural, everyday word for a slow swelling wave or undulation, while 波動 is more formal and often used figuratively or technically.

Don't confuse with

畝うね
畝 refers to a ridge or furrow in a field, while うねり refers to an undulating shape or a sea swell, despite the shared root reading.

Written forms

うねりUsage95%
Usually written in kana; the kanji form 畝り is rare.
ウネリUsage5%
畝うねり
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form; learners should use the kana spelling.

Etymology

Derived from the verb うねる (to undulate, to wind). The exact origin of うねる is uncertain, but it is likely a native Japanese mimetic or sound-symbolic word.