Japanese · Nature & Environment
湖
mizuumi
Lake
Intermediatenoun
Definition
A large inland body of standing water. Japan has many scenic lakes; Lake Kawaguchi near Mount Fuji is famous for its reflection of the iconic peak.
Example
湖の周りをサイクリングしました。
I cycled around the lake.
Etymology
湖 (mizuumi) is translated from the Chinese character for 'lake', originally referring to large bodies of water. Its usage has remained consistent in the context of geography.
How & Where It’s Used
湖 is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, and is recognized in both spoken and written Japanese. It appears in geographical names and discussions about nature across all regions.