Meaning and Usage
"土手" (どて) refers to an embankment or bank, typically made of earth, constructed alongside rivers, lakes, or fields to prevent flooding or to serve as a boundary.
Common Contexts
It is often used in contexts related to nature, geography, and flood control. People might talk about walking along a 土手, sitting on it to enjoy scenery, or mention it in news reports about floods.
Collocations and Patterns
- 土手を散歩する: to take a walk along the embankment, a common leisure activity.
- 土手が決壊する: the embankment breaks or collapses, often used in disaster contexts.
- 土手の上に座る: sitting on top of the embankment, often to enjoy views.
Register and Nuance
"土手" is a neutral noun used in both formal and informal contexts. It is a concrete noun and rarely used metaphorically.
Learner Tips
Do not confuse 土手 with 川岸 (かわぎし), which means riverbank but usually refers to the natural edge rather than a man-made embankment. 土手 implies a constructed or raised earth bank.