渡航

• Reading: とこう
• Romaji: tokō
• Kanji breakdown: 渡 (to) — cross over water; 航 (kō) — sail, navigate
• Pronunciation: /tokoː/

Meaning

Voyage abroad; travel to a foreign country; the act of crossing to another nation.

A formal noun used especially in bureaucratic and journalistic contexts. More elevated than 海外旅行 (overseas travel) and often implies a purpose-driven journey such as study, official mission, or diplomatic passage. Frequently appears in 渡航禁止 (travel ban) and 渡航危険情報 (travel warning). The formality of the word reflects the gravity once attached to international travel.

Examples

1. 外務省は紛争地域への渡航を自粛するよう国民に強く呼びかけた。 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly urged citizens to refrain from travelling to conflict zones.
2. 戦時中、海外への渡航には当局の事前許可が義務づけられていた。 During wartime, travel abroad required prior authorisation from the authorities.
3. 渡航危険情報を事前に確認し、現地の最新状況を把握した上で出発すべきだ。 One should check travel warnings in advance and depart only after grasping the latest situation on the ground.

Usage Guide

Context: travel, diplomacy, journalism, government advisories

Tone: formal

Origin & History

From 渡 (to cross over water) and 航 (to sail, navigate by sea). Both characters relate to crossing bodies of water, evoking the historical reality of ocean travel as the primary means of reaching foreign lands.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: General