Translation guide
The word 'tide' refers to the regular rise and fall of the sea. In Japanese, the most common word is 潮 (shio), but there are specific terms for high tide, low tide, and tidal currents. This guide covers natural expressions for talking about tides in everyday and travel contexts.
Referring to the tide in general, the phenomenon of the sea rising and falling.
The most common and general word for 'tide'. Can refer to the tide itself, seawater, or the tidal current.
A more technical or formal term for 'tide', often used in scientific contexts or tide tables.
潮汐表を確認する。
Check the tide table.
The time when the sea reaches its highest level.
The standard word for 'high tide'. Used in weather forecasts and everyday conversation.
満潮は午後3時です。
High tide is at 3 p.m.
A more descriptive phrase meaning 'the tide is in' or 'the tide is high'.
今、潮が満ちているから泳げない。
We can't swim now because the tide is in.
The time when the sea reaches its lowest level.
The standard word for 'low tide'.
干潮の時に貝を拾いに行く。
We go collecting shells at low tide.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'the tide is out' or 'the tide is low'.
潮が引いているから、遠くまで歩ける。
Since the tide is out, we can walk far out.
The movement of water caused by the tide, often important for fishing or boating.
Refers specifically to the tidal current. Commonly used in fishing and marine contexts.
潮流が速いので注意してください。
Please be careful because the tidal current is fast.
A more everyday phrase for 'tidal current', literally 'flow of the tide'.
潮の流れが変わった。
The tide has turned.
Specific types of tides based on the moon's phase.
Spring tide, when the tidal range is greatest. Used mainly in fishing or coastal activities.
今日は大潮だから、よく釣れる。
Today is a spring tide, so the fishing is good.
Neap tide, when the tidal range is smallest.
小潮の日は潮の流れが弱い。
On neap tide days, the tidal current is weak.
潮 (shio) is the general word for tide and is used in everyday phrases like 潮が満ちる (the tide comes in). 潮流 (chōryū) specifically means tidal current, the horizontal movement of water. 潮汐 (chōseki) is a formal/technical term for the astronomical tide, often seen in tide tables or scientific writing.
When checking tide times for beach trips or fishing, Japanese people often say 潮見表 (shio-mi-hyō, tide chart) or simply ask 今日の潮は？ (Kyō no shio wa?, What's the tide like today?). The words 満潮 and 干潮 are common in weather reports.