Groundwater is the vital water reserve hidden beneath our feet, essential for human life and ecosystems.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Water stored beneath the Earth's surface in soil and rocks.
- Essential source for drinking water, agriculture, and natural springs.
- Often associated with environmental issues like pollution or depletion.
Overview
- 1概要：地下水（ちかすい）は、地球の地殻内部に存在する水資源です。雨水が地面に降り注ぐと、土壌の粒子間や岩石の割れ目を通って深く浸透し、地下水脈や帯水層を形成します。これは地球上の淡水資源の重要な一部であり、多くの地域で飲料水や農業用水として欠かせない存在です。
- 1使用パターン：日常会話やニュース、環境科学の文脈で頻繁に使われます。「地下水をくみ上げる」「地下水が汚染される」「地下水を利用する」といった動詞と組み合わせて使われるのが一般的です。特に環境問題に関連して、地下水の水位低下や汚染が社会的な話題になることが多いです。
Examples
この地域の農家は地下水を利用して米を育てています。
everydayFarmers in this area use groundwater to grow rice.
地下水の汚染は深刻な環境問題です。
formalGroundwater contamination is a serious environmental issue.
湧き水は地下水が地表に出てきたものだ。
informalSpring water is groundwater that has surfaced.
帯水層における地下水の流動を解析する。
academicAnalyzing the flow of groundwater in an aquifer.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
地下水脈
underground water vein
地下水位
groundwater level
地下水汚染
groundwater contamination
Often Confused With
Refers specifically to groundwater that naturally emerges on the surface. It is a subset of groundwater.
Refers to water drawn from a well. While it is usually groundwater, the term focuses on the method of extraction.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word is neutral to formal. It is frequently used in scientific, environmental, and agricultural contexts. In casual conversation, people might simply refer to it as 'well water' (井戸水) if they are talking about their home supply.
Common Mistakes
Some learners confuse it with 'surface water' (地表水). Ensure you emphasize the 'underground' (地下) aspect. Also, avoid using it to refer to general tap water.
Tips
Use with verbs like くみ上げる
When discussing groundwater, you often use the verb くみ上げる (to pump up). It is a standard collocation in news and reports.
Distinguish from surface water
Remember that 地下水 refers specifically to water underground. Do not confuse it with 川 (river) or 湖 (lake) which are surface waters.
Cultural value of famous springs
In Japan, high-quality groundwater is highly valued for sake brewing and tea ceremonies. Many regions are famous for their pure spring water.
Word Origin
The term is a compound of the Sino-Japanese characters for 'ground' (地), 'below/under' (下), and 'water' (水). It has been used in Japanese to describe geological water sources since ancient times.
Cultural Context
In Japan, groundwater is vital for sake brewing, as the quality of the water directly affects the flavor of the sake. Many famous sake breweries are located in areas with abundant, high-quality groundwater.
Memory Tip
Think of the kanji: 地 (ground) + 下 (under) + 水 (water). It is literally the water under the ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions雨や雪が地面に降り、土や砂の隙間を通って地下深くへ浸透することで蓄えられます。これが岩盤などの層にぶつかり、溜まった場所が地下水となります。
地域や水質検査の結果によります。井戸水として利用される場合は適切に浄化や検査を行う必要があります。
地下水を過剰に汲み上げると、地層を支える圧力が減り、地面が沈み込む現象が発生します。これが地盤沈下の主な原因の一つです。
地質構造によって異なります。地下水が溜まりやすい層（帯水層）がある場所では豊富ですが、そうでない場所ではほとんど存在しません。
Test Yourself
農家は作物を育てるために、井戸から___をくみ上げた。
井戸からくみ上げるのは地下水が適切です。
「地下水」の説明として正しいものはどれですか？
地下水は地層の下に蓄えられた水を指します。
（汚染が / 地下水の / 進んでいる / 問題が）
「地下水の汚染」が「問題となっている」という自然な文章です。
Score: /3
Summary
Groundwater is the vital water reserve hidden beneath our feet, essential for human life and ecosystems.
- Water stored beneath the Earth's surface in soil and rocks.
- Essential source for drinking water, agriculture, and natural springs.
- Often associated with environmental issues like pollution or depletion.
Use with verbs like くみ上げる
When discussing groundwater, you often use the verb くみ上げる (to pump up). It is a standard collocation in news and reports.
Distinguish from surface water
Remember that 地下水 refers specifically to water underground. Do not confuse it with 川 (river) or 湖 (lake) which are surface waters.
Cultural value of famous springs
In Japan, high-quality groundwater is highly valued for sake brewing and tea ceremonies. Many regions are famous for their pure spring water.
Examples
4 of 4この地域の農家は地下水を利用して米を育てています。
Farmers in this area use groundwater to grow rice.
地下水の汚染は深刻な環境問題です。
Groundwater contamination is a serious environmental issue.
湧き水は地下水が地表に出てきたものだ。
Spring water is groundwater that has surfaced.
帯水層における地下水の流動を解析する。
Analyzing the flow of groundwater in an aquifer.
Related Content
Related Vocabulary
More nature words
～上
B1Above; on top of; up.
〜の上
A2On top of, above, upon.
豊か
B1Abundant; rich; plentiful (na-adjective).
〜に従って
B1According to, in conformity with, as (something happens).
酸性雨
B1Acid rain.
営み
B1Activity; daily life; undertaking (e.g., life's activities).
順応する
B1To adapt; to adjust; to conform.
~を背景に
B1Against the backdrop of; with...as background.
空気
A2air
大気汚染
B1Air pollution; the presence of harmful substances in the air.
