“River” in Japanese is 川 (かわ), pronounced kawa.
Pronunciation
The word has 2 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
River. In names it’s often read がわ: 隅田川 (Sumidagawa).
Example sentences
- 川で泳ぎました。かわでおよぎました。I swam in the river.
- 川の水はきれいです。かわのみずはきれいです。The river water is clean.
Quick practice
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Which word means “moon”?
Related words: Nature & weather
FAQ
How do you say river in Japanese?
River in Japanese is 川 (かわ), pronounced “kawa”.
How do you write river in Japanese?
It's written 川 with kanji, or かわ in hiragana. Both are read kawa.
Is 川 on the JLPT?
Yes. 川 (kawa) is a common word at JLPT N5 level, so it's worth learning early.