Meaning and Usage
"徐行" (じょこう) means "going slowly" or "slow driving." It is often used in traffic contexts where vehicles are required to reduce speed for safety reasons, such as near construction sites, intersections, or pedestrian areas.
Common Collocations
- 徐行してください: a polite request to go slowly, often seen on signs or heard from authorities.
- 徐行運転: slow or cautious driving, emphasizing safety.
- 徐行しながら: doing something while going slowly, often describing how a vehicle moves.
Usage Notes
"徐行" is a formal term often used in written or official contexts like traffic signs and regulations. In casual conversation, people might say "ゆっくり走る" (drive slowly) instead. When you see "徐行," it implies careful, deliberate slow movement, not just any slow pace.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "徐行" with simply "slow" (遅い) or "ゆっくり," but "徐行" specifically refers to slow movement in a controlled, cautious manner, especially in driving or walking contexts where safety is a concern.