Meaning and Usage
The word "洪水" (こうずい) specifically refers to a flood caused by an overflow of water, usually from rivers or heavy rain. It is a formal and commonly used term in news reports, weather forecasts, and disaster-related contexts.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "洪水" in discussions about natural disasters, emergency preparedness, and environmental issues. It is used to describe both the event itself and the resulting damage.
Collocations and Patterns
- 洪水が発生する: a flood occurs
- 洪水の被害: flood damage
- 洪水警報: flood warning
- 洪水で避難する: evacuate due to flood
These collocations are useful for talking about flood situations in a natural way.
Register and Nuance
"洪水" is a neutral to formal term. It is appropriate in news, official announcements, and serious conversations about disasters. It is less likely to be used in casual daily talk unless discussing a recent or ongoing flood.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "洪水" with "水害" (すいがい), which means water-related disasters in general, including floods and other water damage. Use "洪水" when specifically referring to flooding caused by overflowing water.