ditch, moat, canal
On'yomi (音読み)
- クツ
Kun'yomi (訓読み)
- ほり
About this kanji
The kanji 堀 (ほり) primarily means "ditch," "moat," or "canal." It is often used as a noun. Common compounds include 堀川 (ほりかわ), which means "canal," and 外堀 (そとぼり), referring to the "outer moat" of a castle, which historically protected the structure. You might also come across 堀端 (ほりばた), meaning "side of a moat." When learning this kanji, it's interesting to note its role in traditional Japanese architecture, as moats were commonly used for defense. Understanding its usage in compounds can help you appreciate both the function and historical significance of water features in Japanese culture.
Example sentences
城の周りに堀がある。
There is a moat around the castle.
Meanings across languages
- English
- ditch, moat, canal
- Tiếng Việt
- mương, hào, kinh
- 日本語
- 堀, 水堀, 運河
- 한국어
- 도랑, 해자, 운하
- 中文
- 沟渠, 护城河, 水道
- id
- selokan
- th
- ร่องน้ำ
- es
- foso
- fr
- tranchée
- de
- Graben
- pt
- fosso
Common compounds
- 堀川canal
- 堀江canal
- 外堀outer moat (of a castle)
- 内堀inner moat, moat within the castle walls
- 堀端side of a moat
- 釣り堀fish pond (artificially stocked), fishing pond
- 堀割canal, waterway, ditch
- 空堀dry moat
Words using this kanji
Want to actually learn this kanji?
The dictionary is one view. The Kanji 360 app wraps every character with mnemonic images, audio readings, stroke-order animation, story context, and SRS scheduling — free to start on iPhone, iPad, and Android.