Meaning and Usage
"道路" (どうろ) means "road" or "street" and is commonly used to refer to public roads where vehicles and pedestrians travel. It is a noun used in both formal and everyday contexts.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "道路" in discussions about traffic, construction, or navigation. It can refer to highways, city streets, or rural roads.
Collocations and Patterns
- 道路工事 (どうろこうじ): road construction, used when talking about maintenance or building roads.
- 道路交通 (どうろこうつう): road traffic, often used in official or news contexts.
- 道路標識 (どうろひょうしき): road signs, important for navigation and safety.
Usage Notes
"道路" is more formal than just "道" (みち), which can mean any path or way. Use "道路" when referring specifically to paved or official roads. A common learner mistake is confusing "道路" with "道"; remember "道路" implies a constructed road, often for vehicles.
Summary
Use "道路" when talking about roads in a general or official sense, especially in contexts involving traffic, construction, or navigation.