Meaning and Usage
"横断" (おうだん) primarily means "crossing" or "traversing" something horizontally, such as a road, river, or area. It is often used in contexts involving crossing streets (横断歩道, pedestrian crossing) or crossing geographical features like rivers or bridges.
Common Collocations
- 横断歩道 (おうだんほどう): pedestrian crossing, a very common phrase used when talking about crossing streets safely.
- 道路の横断 (どうろのおうだん): crossing the road, often used in safety warnings or rules.
- 横断禁止 (おうだんきんし): crossing prohibited, used in signs or instructions.
Register and Nuance
"横断" is a neutral term used in both formal and informal contexts. It is often seen in public signs, instructions, and everyday conversation about crossing streets or areas.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "横断" with "渡る" (わたる), which also means "to cross." "横断" is a noun or part of compound nouns and focuses on the act or place of crossing, while "渡る" is a verb meaning "to cross." For example, "横断歩道を渡る" combines both: "to cross the pedestrian crossing."