通り

• Reading: とおり
• Romaji: toori
• Kanji breakdown: 通 (tsuu/too) — pass through, commute, street
• Pronunciation: /to.o.ɾi/

Meaning

A street; an avenue. A road, especially one with a name in a town or city.

The noun form of 通る (tooru, to pass through). Used as a suffix for named streets, such as 銀座通り (Ginza-doori). Also means 'as expected' or 'in accordance with' in patterns like 思った通り (omotta toori, just as I thought).

Examples

1. この通りをまっすぐ行ってください。 Please go straight down this street.
2. 駅前の通りにはお店がたくさんある。 There are lots of shops on the street in front of the station.
3. 思った通り、今日は雨でした。 Just as I thought, it rained today.

Usage Guide

Context: directions, street names, expressions

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Noun form of the verb 通る (tooru, to pass through). The kanji 通 combines 辶 (road radical) and 甬 (a phonetic element), depicting passage along a road.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal