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
- 堀川ほりかわcanal
- 堀江ほりえcanal
- 外堀そとぼりouter moat (of a castle)
- 内堀うちぼりinner moat, moat within the castle walls
- 堀端ほりばたside of a moat
- 釣り堀つりぼりfish pond (artificially stocked), fishing pond
- 堀割ほりわりcanal, waterway, ditch
- 空堀からぼりdry moat
Want to actually learn this kanji?
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