廊下

ろうか

corridor

JLPT N5

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

The word 廊下 (ろうか) refers to a corridor or hallway inside a building. It is a common noun used to describe the long passage connecting rooms, especially in schools, offices, or houses.

Common Contexts

廊下 is often used when talking about moving through a building, describing where objects are placed, or giving instructions about behavior in shared spaces.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 廊下を歩く: to walk down the corridor
  • 廊下に並ぶ: to be lined up in the corridor
  • 廊下で話す: to talk in the corridor (often discouraged in schools)

Register and Politeness

廊下 is a neutral, everyday word suitable for both casual and formal contexts. It is commonly used in school settings and general conversation.

Learner Tips

A common mistake is confusing 廊下 with 玄関 (げんかん, entrance) or 部屋 (へや, room). 廊下 specifically means the passageway inside a building, not the entrance or a room itself. Remember 廊下 is the connecting space, not a destination.

Example Sentences

ろうかをあるいてきょうしつにいきます。

I walk down the corridor to go to the classroom.

ろうかにくつがたくさんならんでいます。

There are many shoes lined up in the corridor.

ろうかでともだちとはなしてはいけません。

You must not talk with friends in the corridor.