交通
kōtsū[ko̞ːt͡sɨː]
The English word "traffic" is translated into Japanese as 交通 (kōtsū).
交通 is a general term used to describe traffic, referring to both vehicles and pedestrians on roads or air traffic. You can use it in various compound forms: 交通量 refers specifically to the volume or amount of traffic, while 交通渋滞 is the term for traffic congestion used in daily conversation. Additionally, 交通機関 is used to refer to public transportation systems such as trains and buses.
Meaning: pedestrians or vehicles on roads or on the air (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word consists of two kanji: 交, which means to intersect or exchange and 通, which means to pass through or commute.
How do you pronounce it?
kōtsū
Did you know?
- In Japan, the phrase 交通安全 ('traffic safety') is so culturally significant that it is the theme of a nationwide campaign every autumn featuring specific slogans and posters.
- The term for traffic congestion, 交通渋滞, uses the word 渋滞, which originally described the way things become thick or stagnant, like a heavy liquid or a thick fog.
- The character 交 in 交通 means to intersect or exchange, a meaning that also appears in the Japanese word for 'friendship' or 'social intercourse'.
Examples in context
- 交通量は少なかった。Traffic was light.This sentence is useful for describing the amount of traffic using 交通.Tatoeba #174103 by bunbuku, translation #240367 by Dejo
- 彼は交通事故に遭った。He was in a traffic accident.This sentence shows how to use 交通 when referring to a traffic accident.Tatoeba #107453 by bunbuku, translation #651521 by shang
- 交通事故にあったんだ。I was involved in a traffic accident.This sentence is another way to describe being involved in a traffic accident using 交通.Tatoeba #174137 by bunbuku, translation #240333 by CK
- 交通の渋滞 (じゅうたい) はひどいですね。The traffic congestion is terrible, isn't it?
- 少しの交通量 (こうつうりょう) でも時間がかかります。Even a small amount of traffic can take a lot of time.
- 今日は渋滞 (じゅうたい) がひどいですね。The traffic is terrible today, isn't it?
- 都心で交通渋滞 (こうつうじゅうたい) が発生しました。Traffic congestion occurred in the city center.
- 102 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Ren are discussing the commute to the city center.
- 結衣 Yui今の時間は交通が激しいですね。Ima no jikan wa kōtsū ga hageshii desu ne.The traffic is heavy at this time, isn't it?
- 蓮 Ren本当ですね。電車に乗ったほうが早いです。Hontō desu ne. Densha ni notta hō ga hayai desu.That's true. It would be faster to take the train.
- 結衣 Yui交通機関の利用を考えましょう。Kōtsū kikan no riyō o kangaemashō.Let's consider using public transport.
- 蓮 Renそうしましょう。駅まで歩きましょうか。Sō shimashō. Eki made arukimashō ka.Let's do that. Shall we walk to the station?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “traffic” translations and entries 交通, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
