峡谷

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 峡谷, read きょうこく, means a deep valley with steep sides.
• Basic usage: Use it for a river along the bottom or a bridge spanning the gorge.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Valley and gorge
  • 谷 is the broader word for a valley, while 峡谷 emphasizes depth and steep sides.
• Crossing a boundary
  • The example's 峡谷を越えた states that the train crossed the gorge. In that sentence, the preceding mention of a bridge identifies the route.