街角

まちかど

street corner

JLPT N2

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"街角" (まちかど) literally means "street corner." It refers to the corner or intersection of streets in a town or city. This word is commonly used in everyday conversation to describe locations or meeting points.

Common Contexts

You will often hear "街角" when people talk about meeting places, shops, or events happening at or near street corners. It can evoke a sense of urban life and casual encounters.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 街角で待ち合わせする: to arrange a meeting at the street corner
  • 街角のカフェ: a café located on a street corner
  • 街角で歌う: to sing at the street corner

These collocations highlight typical uses involving locations and activities associated with street corners.

Register and Nuance

"街角" is neutral and suitable for both casual and formal contexts. It is a concrete noun and does not carry any particular politeness level.

Common Learner Notes

Learners sometimes confuse "街角" with "角" (かど), which also means "corner." However, "街角" specifically refers to street corners in urban or town settings, while "角" can be used more broadly for any corner, including objects or rooms. Use "街角" when emphasizing the outdoor street location.

Example Sentences

まちかどでともだちとまちあわせをした。

I arranged to meet my friend at the street corner.

まちかどのかふぇはいつもにぎやかだ。

The café on the street corner is always lively.

かれはまちかどでとつぜんうたいはじめた。

He suddenly started singing at the street corner.