Translation guide
A large natural underground space, often open to the surface or part of a cave system. In Japanese, the most common word is 洞窟 (どうくつ), which covers both caves and caverns. For large open chambers, 大洞窟 or 鍾乳洞 (limestone cavern) are used. The word 洞穴 is less common and more literary.
A natural underground hollow, often large, used in general contexts.
The standard word for cave or cavern. Covers both small and large natural underground spaces.
その洞窟はとても広かった。
The cavern was very spacious.
洞窟の中でコウモリを見た。
I saw bats inside the cavern.
Literally 'hollow hole', can mean cave or cavern but is less common in modern speech. Often used in literary or descriptive contexts.
山の洞穴に隠れた。
They hid in a mountain cavern.
A vast underground chamber, often with high ceilings, used in tourism or geology.
Literally 'great cave', emphasizes the large size of the cavern.
その大洞窟は観光名所だ。
That large cavern is a tourist attraction.
Limestone cavern with stalactites and stalagmites. Common in tourist contexts.
秋芳洞は日本最大の鍾乳洞です。
Akiyoshido is Japan's largest limestone cavern.
Emphasizing the atmosphere of a cavern, often in fantasy or storytelling.
Phrase meaning 'dark cavern', used to evoke mood.
暗い洞窟の奥に何かが光っていた。
Something was glowing deep in the dark cavern.
Underground cavern, often used in geological or adventure contexts.
地下洞窟を探検する。
Explore an underground cavern.
洞窟 (どうくつ) is the standard, everyday word for cave or cavern. 洞穴 (ほらあな) is more literary and less common, often implying a simpler hole or den. For most purposes, use 洞窟.
If you're talking about a tourist cavern with formations, 鍾乳洞 (しょうにゅうどう) is the precise term. It specifically refers to limestone caves with stalactites.
洞窟に彼らの声がこだました。
The cavern echoed with their voices.
滝の裏に隠れた洞窟を発見した。
We discovered a hidden cavern behind the waterfall.