橋

• Reading: はし
• Romaji: hashi
• Kanji breakdown: 橋 (kyou/hashi) — bridge
• Pronunciation: /ha.ɕi/

Meaning

Bridge. A structure built over a river, road, or valley to allow crossing.

A noun meaning bridge. Japan has many famous bridges, from the ancient 錦帯橋 (Kintaikyo) to modern suspension bridges. Note that 橋 (bridge) and 箸 (chopsticks) are both read はし but distinguished by pitch accent — 橋 has a falling accent while 箸 has a rising accent in standard Japanese.

Examples

1. あの橋を渡ると公園があります。 If you cross that bridge, there's a park.
2. この橋はとても古いです。 This bridge is very old.
3. 川の上に長い橋があります。 There's a long bridge over the river.

Usage Guide

Context: directions, geography, sightseeing

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 橋 combines 木 (wood) with 喬 (tall), suggesting a tall wooden structure spanning a gap.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal