歩道

• Reading: ほどう
• Romaji: hodou
• Kanji breakdown: 歩 (ho/aruku) — walk, step; 道 (dō/michi) — road, path
• Pronunciation: /ho.doː/

Meaning

Sidewalk; pavement; walkway. A path designated for pedestrians.

A compound noun combining 歩 (walk) and 道 (road/path). The standard word for sidewalks in urban areas. Common compounds: 歩道橋 (hodō-kyō, pedestrian overpass), 横断歩道 (ōdan-hodō, pedestrian crossing/crosswalk). An essential traffic vocabulary word for daily life in Japan.

Examples

1. 歩道を歩いているときに友達に会った。 I ran into a friend while walking on the sidewalk.
2. この道は歩道が狭いので気をつけてください。 The sidewalk on this road is narrow, so please be careful.
3. 横断歩道を渡ってから右に曲がってください。 Please cross the crosswalk and then turn right.

Usage Guide

Context: traffic, directions, urban life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 歩 (ho, walk) and 道 (dō, road/way). A straightforward Sino-Japanese compound describing a walking path.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal