トンネル

• Reading: トンネル
• Romaji: tonneru
• Pronunciation: /toɴ.ne.ɾɯ/

Meaning

Tunnel; an underground or through-mountain passageway.

A loanword noun from English 'tunnel.' Used for both vehicular tunnels through mountains and underground train tunnels. Also used figuratively: トンネルを抜ける (tonneru wo nukeru, to emerge from a difficult period). The opening line of Kawabata's Snow Country references a long tunnel, making it one of Japan's most literary tunnel images.

Examples

1. 長いトンネルを抜けたら美しい海が見えた。 After passing through a long tunnel, a beautiful ocean came into view.
2. この山にはトンネルが三つある。 There are three tunnels through this mountain.
3. 不景気のトンネルをやっと抜けたようだ。 It seems we've finally come out of the tunnel of the recession.

Usage Guide

Context: transportation, infrastructure, travel

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Borrowed from English 'tunnel,' which comes from Old French tonel (barrel/cask). Entered Japanese in the Meiji era when modern infrastructure, including railway tunnels, was being rapidly built.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal