Japanese word

沿う

Pronunciation

Romajisou

Meaning

  • verbrun along

Example

この道は川に沿っています。ko no michi wa kawa ni so tte i ma su

This road runs along the river.

Illustration for 沿う (run along)

More examples

川に沿って歩くと、駅に着きます。kawa ni so tte aru ku to eki ni tsu ki ma su

If you walk along the river, you will reach the station.

Core concept

Expresses staying alongside a line, edge, or course as it continues forward.

Common phrases

  • 川に沿って歩くkawa ni so tte aru ku

    walk along the river

  • 道に沿って進むmichi ni so tte susu mu

    proceed along the road

Similar words

伝うtsutau: To move along a route or surface by following its course.
辿るtadoru: To follow a route or trace a path toward a destination.
従うshitagau: To follow a route as a guide while moving forward.

Definition in Japanese

道や川などの線に沿って、そこから離れずに進むこと。michi ya kawa na do no sen ni so tte so ko ka ra hana re zu ni susu mu ko to

Word origin

沿う (sō) is a native Japanese verb; it is written with 沿 (en, "along a boundary or course"), whose core meaning corresponds to following a line without leaving it.

Usage tips

  • The form 沿って (sotte) is common in practical directions because it identifies a road, river, or railway as the line that guides the route.

Other meanings

  • followverb

Related words

  • 沿いsoialongsidenoun

Word lists with this word