Translation guide
A reservoir is a place where water is stored, often for a city's water supply. In Japanese, the most common word is 貯水池, but other terms exist for natural or artificial contexts.
A man-made lake or large basin used to collect and store water for a community's water supply.
The standard term for a reservoir used for water supply. Literally 'water storage pond/lake'.
この貯水池は市全体に水を供給している。
This reservoir supplies water to the entire city.
Specifically a lake formed by a dam. Often used when the reservoir is created by damming a river.
ダム湖の周りには遊歩道が整備されている。
Walking paths are maintained around the dam reservoir.
Literally 'artificial lake'. A more general term that can include reservoirs but also other man-made lakes for recreation.
この人造湖は灌漑用に作られた。
This artificial lake was built for irrigation.
A natural underground formation or cavity that holds water, like an aquifer or natural cistern.
Means 'water source'. Can refer to a natural reservoir like a spring or aquifer, but is broader.
この地域の水源は地下深くにある。
The water source for this region is deep underground.
Technical term for 'groundwater reservoir' or aquifer. Used in geology and hydrology.
地下水貯留層の水位が下がっている。
The water level in the groundwater reservoir is dropping.
A tank or container that holds a supply of liquid, such as water, oil, or ink.
Loanword from English 'tank'. Used for various storage containers, including water tanks, oil tanks, etc.
屋上に大きな水タンクがある。
There is a large water tank on the rooftop.
Specifically a water storage tank or cistern, often underground or part of a building's system.
Loanword from English 'reservoir'. Used in technical contexts, such as for ink reservoirs in pens or hydraulic systems.
万年筆のインクリザーバーが空になった。
The ink reservoir of the fountain pen is empty.
A large or abundant supply of something abstract, like knowledge, talent, or goodwill.
Means 'store' or 'reserve'. Can be used figuratively for a reservoir of something like energy or knowledge.
彼は知識の蓄えが豊富だ。
He has a rich reservoir of knowledge.
Literally 'treasure house'. Used figuratively for a rich source or reservoir of something valuable.
Means 'source of ~'. Can be used to describe a reservoir of something like creativity or inspiration.
自然は創造性の源泉だ。
Nature is a reservoir of creativity.
貯水池 is the most common and specific term for a reservoir used for water supply. ダム湖 emphasizes that the reservoir is formed by a dam. 人造湖 is a broader term for any artificial lake, not necessarily for water supply.
リザーバー is a technical loanword used for small containers like ink reservoirs or in engineering. It is not used for large water supply reservoirs.
干ばつのため貯水池の水位が下がっている。
The reservoir is running low due to the drought.
彼らは貯水池に釣りに行った。
They went fishing at the reservoir.
緊急用に貯水槽が設置されている。
A water storage tank is installed for emergencies.
This library is a reservoir of information.