Japanese word

線路

Pronunciation

Romajisenro

Meaning

  • nounrailroad track

Example

列車は線路を走ります。res sha wa sen ro o hashi ri ma su

The train runs on the railroad track.

Illustration for 線路 (railroad track)

More examples

作業員は線路を点検しています。sa gyō in wa sen ro o ten ken shi te i ma su

The workers are inspecting the railroad track.

Core concept

Describes a fixed path of rails that guides trains from one place to another.

Common phrases

  • 線路を敷くsen ro o shi ku

    lay railroad tracks

  • 線路を渡るsen ro o wata ru

    cross the railroad tracks

  • 線路のそばsen ro no so ba

    near the railroad track

Similar words

軌道kidō: A track or guideway used by trains or other rail vehicles.
鉄路tetsuro: A railway track or line, especially in formal or literary language.

Definition in Japanese

列車を走らせるためにレールを敷いた道。res sha o hashi ra se ru ta me ni rē ru o shi i ta michi

Word origin

The compound 線路 (senro) combines 線 (sen, "line") and 路 (ro, "road" or "path"), giving the sense of a rail path.

Usage tips

  • Japanese uses 線路 (senro) for the physical track, while 鉄道 (tetsudō) refers more broadly to the railway system.

Word lists with this word