Translation guide
A bowl-shaped depression, typically on a surface like the moon, a planet, or the ground after an explosion.
A large bowl-shaped hole on the surface of a moon, planet, or other celestial body, formed by impact or volcanic activity.
The most common and direct translation for 'crater' in scientific and everyday contexts. A loanword from English.
月の表面にはたくさんのクレーターがあります。
There are many craters on the surface of the moon.
Specifically refers to a volcanic crater, the opening at the top of a volcano.
富士山の火口はとても大きいです。
The crater of Mt. Fuji is very large.
Literally 'eruption mouth', a more technical term for a volcanic crater or vent.
噴火口から煙が上がっている。
Smoke is rising from the crater.
A hole in the ground caused by an explosion, such as from a bomb or shell.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'bomb hole'. Natural for craters caused by explosions.
道路に爆弾の穴ができた。
A bomb crater formed in the road.
Also used for explosion craters, though less specific than the descriptive phrase.
爆発で大きなクレーターができた。
A large crater was formed by the explosion.
Any bowl-shaped hollow or depression resembling a crater, such as in the ground, a surface, or even metaphorically.
A general word for a hollow, dent, or depression. Not specifically a crater, but used for crater-like shapes.
地面に大きなくぼみができている。
There is a large depression in the ground.
Simply 'hole'. Can be used for a crater-like hole, but is very general.
Use クレーター for impact craters (moon, Mars) and general crater shapes. Use 火口 specifically for volcanic craters. 噴火口 is more technical and less common in everyday speech.
A deep hole opened up in the ground from the explosion.