The 405

American Slang Term American ★★★★☆ Common Casual
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Meaning: Refers to the I-405 freeway in Los Angeles, but more broadly represents California's unique habit of putting 'the' before freeway numbers.

指洛杉矶的I-405高速公路,但更广泛地代表了加州在高速公路编号前加'the'的独特说话习惯。
Se refiere a la autopista I-405 en Los Ángeles, pero en un sentido más amplio representa la costumbre californiana de poner 'the' delante de los números de autopista.
ロサンゼルスのI-405フリーウェイを指すが、より広くはフリーウェイ番号の前に「the」を付けるカリフォルニア独特の習慣を象徴する。
LA의 I-405 프리웨이를 가리키지만, 더 넓게는 프리웨이 번호 앞에 'the'를 붙이는 캘리포니아 특유의 습관을 대표한다.

Californians, especially Southern Californians, always put 'the' before freeway numbers: 'the 405,' 'the 101,' 'the 10.' This is distinctive to California — most other Americans say 'I-405' or just '405.' The 405 specifically is one of the busiest freeways in America and is synonymous with LA traffic. Saying 'take the 405' is a very SoCal thing.

加州人,特别是南加州人,总是在高速公路编号前面加'the':'the 405'、'the 101'、'the 10'。这是加州独有的——大多数美国人说'I-405'或直接说'405'。405号公路是美国最繁忙的高速公路之一,已经成为洛杉矶堵车的代名词。说'take the 405'是非常南加的说法。
Los californianos, especialmente los del sur, siempre ponen 'the' delante de los números de autopista: 'the 405', 'the 101', 'the 10'. Esto es exclusivo de California — la mayoría de estadounidenses dicen 'I-405' o simplemente '405'. The 405 en concreto es una de las autopistas más transitadas de Estados Unidos y es sinónimo del tráfico de LA. Decir 'take the 405' es algo muy del sur de California.
カリフォルニアの人々、特に南カリフォルニアの人々はフリーウェイ番号の前に必ず「the」を付ける:「the 405」「the 101」「the 10」。これはカリフォルニア特有で、他のアメリカ人は「I-405」や単に「405」と言う。特にthe 405はアメリカで最も混雑するフリーウェイの一つで、LAの渋滞の代名詞。「take the 405」と言うのはとても南カリフォルニアらしい表現。
캘리포니아 사람들, 특히 남부 캘리포니아 사람들은 프리웨이 번호 앞에 항상 'the'를 붙인다: 'the 405', 'the 101', 'the 10'. 이것은 캘리포니아 특유의 것으로, 다른 주의 미국인들은 대부분 'I-405'나 그냥 '405'라고 한다. the 405는 특히 미국에서 가장 혼잡한 프리웨이 중 하나로 LA 교통의 대명사다. 'take the 405'라고 하는 것은 매우 SoCal스러운 표현이다.

Examples

  1. Don't take the 405 during rush hour — you'll be stuck for two hours.
    高峰时段别走the 405——你会堵两个小时。
    No cojas the 405 en hora punta — estarás atascado dos horas.
    ラッシュアワーにthe 405は使うな — 2時間はまるぞ。
    러시아워에 the 405 타지 마 — 2시간은 갇혀.
  2. Take the 10 to the 405, then get off at Wilshire.
    走the 10转the 405,然后在Wilshire下。
    Coge the 10 hasta the 405, y sal en Wilshire.
    the 10からthe 405に乗って、ウィルシャーで降りて。
    the 10에서 the 405로 갈아타고 윌셔에서 내려.
  3. The 405 is a parking lot right now — let's take surface streets instead.
    the 405现在就是个停车场——我们走普通街道吧。
    The 405 es un aparcamiento ahora mismo — vayamos por calles secundarias.
    今the 405は駐車場状態だよ — 一般道で行こう。
    지금 the 405는 주차장이야 — 일반도로로 가자.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: driving, directions, daily life

Tone: matter-of-fact

✓ Do Say

  • Take the 101 north to get there.
    走the 101往北就到了。
    Coge the 101 hacia el norte para llegar.
    そこに行くにはthe 101を北に行って。
    거기 가려면 the 101 북쪽으로 타.
  • The 405 is always backed up.
    the 405永远在堵车。
    The 405 siempre está atascada.
    the 405はいつも渋滞してる。
    the 405는 항상 막혀.

✗ Don't Say

  • Saying 'I-405' or just '405' without 'the' will immediately mark you as not from California
    说'I-405'或者不加'the'直接说'405'会立刻暴露你不是加州人
    Decir 'I-405' o solo '405' sin 'the' te delatará inmediatamente como alguien que no es de California
    「the」を付けずに「I-405」や「405」と言うと、カリフォルニア出身じゃないとすぐにバレる
    'the' 없이 'I-405'나 그냥 '405'라고 하면 캘리포니아 출신이 아니라는 게 바로 티난다

Origin & History

Southern California's habit of using 'the' before freeway numbers dates back to the 1940s-50s when LA's first freeways had names (the Hollywood Freeway, the Santa Monica Freeway). When they got numbers, the 'the' stuck. This linguistic quirk is unique to California.

Cultural Context

Era: 1950s

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: Southern California — Los Angeles

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