What is the difference in usage between 港 and 港湾?


According to my dictionary, 港湾{こうわん} and 港{みなと} both means _harbour_. What is
the difference between the usage of these two words ?




港湾 is a kango (Sino-Japanese word) and 港 is a wago (native Japanese word).
Thus the former is used in formal documents and such, whereas 港 is preferred
in casual conversations and lyrics. See similar questions tagged with [wago-
and-kango](/questions/tagged/wago-and-kango "show questions tagged 'wago-and-
kango'").

