Translation guide
The concept of flooding, covering natural disasters, overflowing water, and figurative overwhelming amounts.
To describe a flood as a natural event where water covers normally dry land.
The most common and general term for a flood, typically caused by heavy rain or overflowing rivers.
大雨で洪水が発生した。
Flooding occurred due to heavy rain.
洪水の被害が広がっている。
Flood damage is spreading.
Refers to water entering buildings or areas, often used for homes or underground spaces. Focuses on the result of flooding rather than the flow of water.
地下室が浸水した。
The basement was flooded.
台風で家が浸水した。
My house was flooded due to the typhoon.
Specifically means that a road or land surface is submerged under water. Often used in traffic reports.
道路が冠水して通行止めになった。
The road was flooded and closed to traffic.
To describe a river or waterway overflowing its banks.
Specifically refers to a river overflowing its banks. Often used in news reports.
川が氾濫した。
The river flooded.
大雨で河川が氾濫する恐れがある。
There is a risk of rivers flooding due to heavy rain.
A more general phrase meaning 'water overflows'. Can be used for rivers, bathtubs, or containers.
川の水があふれた。
The river water overflowed.
To express a large, overwhelming influx of things like information, people, or emotions.
Used for a flood of people, calls, applications, etc. Implies rushing in large numbers.
問い合わせが殺到している。
We are being flooded with inquiries.
避難所に人が殺到した。
People flooded into the evacuation center.
Literally 'a flood of ~'. Used figuratively for an overwhelming amount of something, often information or emotions.
情報の洪水に溺れそうだ。
I feel like I'm drowning in a flood of information.
Can also be used figuratively for an overflow of something undesirable, like misinformation or cheap goods.
To describe a sudden overwhelming feeling or memory.
Means 'emotions overflow'. Natural way to express being flooded with emotion.
嬉しさで感情があふれた。
I was flooded with happiness.
Describes emotions welling up from inside, often suddenly. Used for tears, laughter, or feelings.
悲しみが込み上げてきた。
A flood of sadness welled up inside me.
洪水 (kōzui) is a general flood disaster. 浸水 (shinsui) means water entering a building or area. 冠水 (kansui) is specifically for roads or land being submerged. Use 洪水 for the overall event, 浸水 for damage to property, and 冠水 for traffic conditions.
Avoid directly translating 'flooding' as フラッディング (furajingu) in most contexts. It is a loanword used mainly in IT (e.g., network flooding) or specific technical fields, not for natural disasters.
大雨で深刻な洪水が発生した。
The heavy rain caused severe flooding.
ツイッターのタイムラインが広告で溢れている。
My Twitter feed is flooded with ads.
インターネット上に偽情報が氾濫している。
Misinformation is flooding the internet.