Readings: タク (Onyomi), さわ, つや, うるお-す, うるお-う (Kunyomi)
Meaning: swamp, marsh, wet land, luster, abundance, widely
The character 沢 (sawa) depicts water (氵) flowing over a rocky or uneven surface (right component, which also gives the sound “taku”). This imagery leads to its primary meaning of a swamp, marsh, or glen where water collects. It can also imply abundance or richness from the idea of moist, fertile land, and by extension, luster or gloss.
View JLPT N1 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 沢 has 7 strokes. It starts with the three strokes of the water radical (氵) on the left, followed by the right component. The stroke order for the right side generally follows a pattern of horizontal, vertical, and then remaining strokes.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 氵 (水) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 7 |
| JLPT Level | N1 |
| Grade | S |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- タク (Taku)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- さわ (sawa)
- つや (tsuya)
- うるおす (uruosu)
- うるおう (uruou)
Common Words Using 沢
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 光沢 | こうたく | luster, gloss, sheen |
| 贅沢 | ぜいたく | luxury, extravagance |
| 潤沢 | じゅんたく | abundance, richness, ample supply |
| 沼沢 | しょうたく | swamp, marsh, wetland |
| 渓沢 | けいたく | mountain stream, valley stream |
| 泥沢 | でいたく | muddy swamp |
| 湖沢 | こたく | lakes and marshes |
| 山沢 | さんたく | mountains and marshes |
| 沃沢 | よくたく | fertile marsh |
| 沢地 | たくち | marshy land |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 沢 | さわ | marsh, swamp, glen, mountain stream |
| 沢辺 | さわべ | marshy area, waterside (of a stream/marsh) |
| 沢蟹 | さわがに | freshwater crab |
| 沢地 | さわち | marshy land |
| 沢水 | さわみず | stream water, swamp water |
| 沢沿い | さわぞい | along the stream/marsh |
| 沢登り | さわのぼり | stream climbing, canyoneering |
| 沢庵 | たくあん | pickled daikon radish |
| 沢田 | さわだ | Sawada (common Japanese surname) |
| 沢尻 | さわじり | Sawajiri (common Japanese surname) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: この布は美しい光沢がある。
Kana: このぬのはうつくしいこうたくがある。
Romaji: Kono nuno wa utsukushii kōtaku ga aru.
English: This fabric has a beautiful luster.
Japanese: 彼は贅沢な暮らしをしている。
Kana: かれはぜいたくなぐらしをしている。
Romaji: Kare wa zeitaku na kurashi o shiteiru.
English: He lives a luxurious life.
Japanese: この地域は水の潤沢な供給がある。
Kana: このちいきはみずのじゅんたくなきょうきゅうがある。
Romaji: Kono chiiki wa mizu no juntaku na kyōkyū ga aru.
English: This region has an abundant supply of water.
Japanese: 沼沢地には珍しい植物が多い。
Kana: しょうたくちにはめずらしいしょくぶつがおおい。
Romaji: Shōtakuchi ni wa mezurashii shokubutsu ga ooi.
English: There are many rare plants in the marshland.
Japanese: 山奥には清らかな沢が流れている。
Kana: やまおくにはきよらかなさわがながれている。
Romaji: Yamaoku ni wa kiyorakana sawa ga nagareteiru.
English: A clear stream flows deep in the mountains.
Japanese: 子供たちは沢でカニを捕まえた。
Kana: こどもたちはさわでカニをつかまえた。
Romaji: Kodomotachi wa sawa de kani o tsukamaeta.
English: The children caught crabs in the stream.
Japanese: 沢沿いの道を散歩した。
Kana: さわぞいのみちをさんぽした。
Romaji: Sawazoi no michi o sanpo shita.
English: I walked along the path by the stream.
Japanese: 沢登りは体力が必要なアクティビティです。
Kana: さわのぼりはたいりょくがひつようなアクティビティです。
Romaji: Sawanobori wa tairyoku ga hitsuyō na akutibiti desu.
English: Stream climbing is an activity that requires physical strength.
Japanese: おばあちゃんは沢庵を漬けるのが得意です。
Kana: おばあちゃんはたくあんをつけるのがとくいです。
Romaji: Obaachan wa takuan o tsukeru no ga tokui desu.
English: My grandmother is good at pickling takuan.
Japanese: その谷沢からは美しい鳥の声が聞こえる。
Kana: そのたにさわからはうつくしいとりのこえがきこえる。
Romaji: Sono tanisawa kara wa utsukushii tori no koe ga kikoeru.
English: From that valley stream, the beautiful voices of birds can be heard.
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