Translation and Meaning of: 雪崩 - nadare

The Japanese word 雪崩[なだれ] carries a meaning as intense as the natural phenomenon it describes. If you're looking to understand its usage, translation, or even cultural curiosities, this article will explore all of that clearly and directly. Here at Suki Nihongo, we prioritize precise explanations, so get ready to discover everything from its kanji writing to how this word appears in everyday Japanese.

Meaning and writing of 雪崩

雪崩 is composed of two kanji: 雪 (yuki), which means "snow," and 崩 (hou/kuzureru), which can be translated as "to crumble" or "to collapse." Together, they form the word "avalanche" or "snow slide." The reading なだれ (nadare) is kun'yomi, which means it's the native Japanese pronunciation associated with the term.

It is worth noting that, although the literal meaning is clear, the use of 雪崩 goes beyond geography. In Japan, it can also appear metaphorically in contexts such as financial crises or even in dramatic narratives, symbolizing sudden and devastating events.

Cultural usage and frequency in the language

In Japan, mountainous regions like Hokkaido and Nagano face 雪崩 with some regularity during winter. Therefore, the term is not uncommon in weather alerts or news. However, its presence in everyday vocabulary is moderate — after all, most conversations do not revolve around natural disasters.

Interestingly, the word gained indirect popularity through mangas and animes. Series like "Attack on Titan" use metaphors related to 雪崩 to describe chaotic scenarios. This type of usage broadens the reach of the term, even among those who do not live in snowy areas.

Tips for memorizing and avoiding confusion

An effective way to remember 雪崩 is to associate its kanjis with the mental image of a snow mountain collapsing. The radical 雨 (ame) in 雪 reinforces the idea of weather phenomena, while 崩 appears in words like 崩壊 (houkai), which means "collapse".

Be careful not to confuse なだれ with terms like 津波 (tsunami) or 地滑り (jisuberi), which refer to other types of natural disasters. The specificity of 雪崩 lies precisely in its relation to snow — something that the kanji 雪 makes evident.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 雪崩 (nadare) - Avalanche
• すべり台 (suberidai) - Slide
• すべり落ちる (suberiochiru) - Slip and fall
• ずり落ちる (zuriochiru) - Slowly fall, slide down

雪崩

Romaji: nadare
Kana: なだれ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: avalanche

Meaning in English: avalanche

Definition: An avalanche is a phenomenon in which a large amount of snow slides down a steep slope or mountain all at once.

Example Sentences - (雪崩) nadare

See below some example sentences:

雪崩が起こる前に避難しましょう。

Yukinami ga okoru mae ni hinan shimashou

Evacuate before the avalanche occurs.

• 雪崩 - avalanche
• が - partícula que indica o sujeito da frase
• 起こる - ocorrer
• 前に - before
• 避難 - evacuação
• しましょう - vamos fazer