Japanese Conversation · Level 112
60 words
Japanese word
幹線
Pronunciation
Romajikansen
Meaning
- nounmain line
Example
東京と大阪を結ぶ幹線です。tō kyō to ō saka o musu bu kan sen de su
It is a main line connecting Tokyo and Osaka.
More examples
この道路は地域の主要な幹線として利用されています。ko no dō ro wa chi iki no shu yō na kan sen to shi te ri yō sa re te i ma su
This road is used as a main route in the area.
Core concept
Describes a route or system that serves as the main connection between important places or smaller branches.
Common phrases
幹線道路kan sen dō ro
main road
幹線鉄道kan sen tetsu dō
main railway line
Similar words
本線honsen: The principal route in a network, often used for railways.
Definition in Japanese
鉄道・道路・通信などで、主要な地点を結ぶ中心となる路線。tetsu dō dō ro tsū shin na do de shu yō na chi ten o musu bu chū shin to na ru ro sen
Word origin
幹 (kan, "trunk") and 線 (sen, "line") form a Sino-Japanese compound meaning a main route or line.
Usage tips
- In ordinary conversation, 幹線 (kansen) sounds more technical than a common word for a road, so it appears most naturally in discussions of transport networks and infrastructure.
Opposites
- 支線shisenbranch linenoun
Related words
- 幹線化kansenkaconversion to a main linenoun