踏切
fumikiri
The English phrase "railroad crossing" is translated into Japanese as 踏切 (fumikiri).
The term 踏切 refers to the physical location where a road and a railway line intersect. It is also used to describe the specific mechanism of the crossing, such as the alarms and the gates.
How do you pronounce it?
fumikiri
Did you know?
- In Japanese anime and film, a 踏切 is frequently used as a cinematic symbol to represent a threshold between the world of the living and the spirit world.
- The word 踏切 is formed from verbs meaning to 'step' and to 'cut', suggesting a place where one's path is cut off by stepping across a boundary.
- In Japanese media and pop culture, the sound of a railroad crossing alarm is a common trope used to signify a sudden shift in atmosphere or a dramatic moment in time.
Examples in context
- 踏切でトラックが立ち往生してしまった。A truck got stuck on the railroad crossing.This sentence shows how to describe a vehicle getting stuck at a 踏切.Tatoeba #9950391 by Sim5634, translation #10123508 by CK
- 警報機が鳴り始めたら踏切内に入らないでください。Don't go onto the railroad crossing when the alarm starts going off.This sentence provides a warning not to enter the 踏切 when the alarm sounds.Tatoeba #3167096 by tommy_san, translation #11526179 by pip
- この踏切はよく閉まりますね。Kono fumikiri wa yoku shimarimasu ne.This railroad crossing closes often, doesn't it?
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are walking to the station together.
- 蓮 Renあ、踏切が閉まってるね。a, fumikiri ga shimatteru ne.Oh, the railroad crossing is closed.
- 結衣 Yui本当だ。電車が通るまで待とう。hontou da. densha ga tooru made matou.You're right. Let's wait until the train passes.
- 蓮 Renやっと踏切が開いたよ。yatto fumikiri ga aita yo.The railroad crossing finally opened.
- 結衣 Yui急いで行こう、結衣。isoide ikou, Yui.Let's hurry, Yui.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 踏切, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
