踏切
fumikiri
The English phrase "railway crossing" is translated into Japanese as 踏切 (fumikiri).
踏切 refers to a place where a railway line crosses a road, which is often equipped with barriers to stop traffic.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the kanji 踏 (to step/tread) and 切 (to cut/intersect), literally referring to a place where paths intersect and one must step across.
How do you pronounce it?
fumikiri
Did you know?
- In Japanese pop culture and anime, a 踏切 is often used as a visual shorthand to create a feeling of tension or a boundary between the ordinary world and a supernatural one.
- In many Japanese cities, the crossing is often called カンカン (kan-kan) by children, imitating the rhythmic 'clanging' sound of the warning bells.
- While 踏切 refers to the crossing, the specific barriers are called 遮断機 'shadanki', meaning 'interruption machine'.
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 railway crossing.This sentence is useful for describing a situation where a truck got stuck on the 踏切.Tatoeba #9950391 by Sim5634, translation #10121930 by deltadave
- 踏切でお茶を飲んでいるところ、友達に会いました。While drinking tea at the railway crossing, I ran into a friend.
- この踏切は、とても警報音が大きいです。Kono fumikiri wa, totemo keihōon ga ookii desu.This railway crossing has a very loud warning bell.
- 踏切の近くにコンビニがあります。Fumikiri no chikaku ni konbini ga arimasu.There is a convenience store near the railway crossing.
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are walking home from the station.
- 結衣 Yui次の踏切、止まってるよ。Tsugi no fumikiri, tomatte iru yo.The next railway crossing is closed.
- 健太 Kenta本当だ。しばらく待ちましょう。Hontō da. Shibaraku machimashō.You're right. Let's wait for a while.
- 結衣 Yui健太さんは、いつもこの道を通るの？Kenta-san wa, itsumo kono michi o tōru no?Kenta, do you always take this road?
- 健太 Kentaうん、家への近道だから。Un, ie e no chikamichi dakara.Yeah, because it's a shortcut to my house.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
