valley

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is こく, and the kun reading is たに. It has 7 strokes and relates to low ground between mountains.
• Basic usage: 谷 is read たに, and 峡谷 is read きょうこく.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 谷 / 峡谷
  • 谷 means valley. It is a noun read たに. It is a valley running through low ground between mountains.
  • 深い谷の底を細い川が流れている。 means “A narrow river flows at the bottom of the deep valley.”
  • 峡谷 means gorge or canyon. It is a noun read きょうこく. It is an especially deep, narrow valley with steep sides.
  • 深い峡谷の底を青い川が流れている。 means “A blue river flows along the bottom of the deep gorge.”