Meaning and Usage
The word "橋" (はし) means "bridge" in Japanese. It refers to a structure built to span physical obstacles like rivers or roads, allowing passage over them.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "橋" in everyday conversation when talking about locations, directions, or landmarks. For example, "橋を渡る" means "to cross a bridge," a common phrase when giving directions.
Collocations and Patterns
- 橋を渡る (はしをわたる): to cross a bridge; used when describing movement across a bridge.
- 橋の下 (はしのした): under the bridge; often used to describe locations.
- 大きな橋 (おおきなはし): big bridge; descriptive adjective + noun.
Register and Nuance
"橋" is a neutral noun used in both formal and informal contexts. It is a common word that appears in daily conversation, travel, and news.
Common Mistakes
Be careful not to confuse "橋" (bridge) with "箸" (はし), which means "chopsticks." They are homophones but have different kanji and meanings. Context usually clarifies which is intended.