谷

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 谷 is read as たに and is a noun for a long, low valley between mountains or elevated land.
• Basic usage: Its low floor appears in 深い谷の底, while fog covering the whole valley appears in 谷を覆う霧.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Spatial range
  • 谷 denotes the valley as a landform, and features within it can be expressed in phrases such as 谷の底 and 谷を流れる川.
• Difference from 谷間
  • 谷 is the general word for the valley itself, while 谷間 more strongly emphasizes the low space between mountains or peaks.