Translation guide
The term 'west bank' most commonly refers to the West Bank region in the Middle East. This guide covers how to refer to this region in Japanese, as well as the literal geographical meaning of a western bank of a river.
Referring to the geopolitical region in the Middle East.
This is the standard Japanese term for the West Bank, literally 'Jordan River West Bank'. It is used in news, formal contexts, and everyday conversation.
ヨルダン川西岸地区では、緊張が高まっている。
Tensions are rising in the West Bank area.
Describing the geographical feature of a river's western side.
When referring to the West Bank region, do not translate literally as '西の土手' or '西の銀行'. Always use ヨルダン川西岸 or 西岸 in context.
Short for ヨルダン川西岸. Often used in news headlines or when the context is clear. Can be ambiguous without context.
西岸での衝突が続いている。
Clashes continue in the West Bank.
A direct loanword from English. Sometimes used in travel contexts or by English speakers, but less common than the Japanese terms.
ウェストバンクを旅行する予定です。
I plan to travel to the West Bank.
General term for 'west bank' of a river or lake. Can be used for any body of water.
その川の西岸には古い寺院がある。
There is an old temple on the west bank of the river.
Literally 'left bank'. In geography, the left bank is the bank on the left side when looking downstream. For a north-flowing river, the left bank is the west bank. Use with caution as it depends on river flow direction.
Only use when the river's flow direction makes the left bank the west bank. Not a direct translation of 'west bank'.
ナイル川の左岸（西岸）にはピラミッドがある。
The pyramids are on the left (west) bank of the Nile.