Japanese word

路地

Pronunciation

Romajiroji

Meaning

  • nounalley

Example

路地の先に小さな店があります。ro ji no saki ni chii sa na mise ga a ri ma su

There is a small shop at the end of the alley.

Illustration for 路地 (alley)

More examples

路地を抜けると、商店街に出ます。ro ji o nu ke ru to shō ten gai ni de ma su

When you go through the alley, you will reach the shopping district.

Core concept

Centers on a narrow passage that threads between buildings or through a closely built area.

Common phrases

  • 路地を歩くro ji o aru ku

    walk along an alley

  • 路地に迷い込むro ji ni mayo i ko mu

    wander into an alley

Similar words

小路kōji: A small, narrow street or passage in a town or built-up area.
横丁yokochō: A narrow side street associated with local shops, food stalls, or bars.
裏通りuradōri: A less prominent street located behind a main road or commercial street.

Definition in Japanese

建物や家並みの間などにある、幅の狭い通路。tate mono ya ie na mi no aida na do ni a ru haba no sema i tsū ro

Word origin

路地 (roji) combines 路 (ro, "road or path") and 地 (ji, "ground or place"), forming a compound for a passage through a built-up area.

Usage tips

  • In English, alley usually suggests a passage beside or between buildings, while lane more often suggests a narrow road used by vehicles or extending through a neighborhood.

Other meanings

  • lanenoun

Word lists with this word