Japanese word

途上

Pronunciation

Romajitojō

Meaning

  • nounin progress

Example

工事はまだ途上です。kō ji wa ma da to jō de su

The construction is still in progress.

Illustration for 途上 (in progress)

More examples

研究はまだ途上ですが、新しい発見が期待されています。ken kyū wa ma da to jō de su ga atara shi i hak ken ga ki tai sa re te i ma su

The research is still in progress, but new discoveries are expected.

Core concept

Describes something as being partway along a route or process, with its destination or completion still ahead.

Common phrases

  • 途上にあるto jō ni a ru

    be in progress

  • 発展の途上hat ten no to jō

    in the process of development

  • 完成への途上kan sei e no to jō

    on the way to completion

Similar words

途中tochū: A position or stage along a route or process before its end is reached.
進行中shinkōchū: The condition of an activity or process as it continues toward its completion.
中途chūto: A point at which an undertaking remains unfinished before reaching its final stage.
道半ばmichinakaba: A point in an extended undertaking before its intended goal has been achieved.

Definition in Japanese

目的地や完成にまだ達していない途中の段階にあること。moku teki chi ya kan sei ni ma da tas shi te i na i to chū no dan kai ni a ru ko to

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese word 途上 (tojō) is formed from 途 (to, "way") and 上 (jō, "on"), so its basic sense is being on the way and its extended sense is being in progress.

Usage tips

  • In formal Japanese, 途上 (tojō) can describe both physical travel and unfinished development, so it applies to a journey as well as to work or construction.

Other meanings

  • on the waynoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word