Japanese word

通い

Pronunciation

Romajikayoi

Meaning

  • nouncommuting

Example

毎日の通いは大変です。mai nichi no kayo i wa tai hen de su

Daily commuting is hard.

Illustration for 通い (commuting)

More examples

この店では通いの職人を雇っています。ko no mise de wa kayo i no shoku nin o yato tte i ma su

This shop employs a craftsperson who commutes from home.

Core concept

Centers on a repeated connection between a home and a destination, covering both regular travel and regular attendance.

Common phrases

  • 通いの職人kayo i no shoku nin

    a live-out craftsman

  • 通いの弟子kayo i no de shi

    a live-out apprentice

Similar words

通勤tsūkin: Traveling regularly from home to a place of employment.
通学tsūgaku: Traveling regularly from home to attend school.
通院tsūin: Making regular visits to a hospital or clinic for medical care.

Definition in Japanese

自宅と職場や学校などとの間を定期的に行き来すること。また、ある場所に定期的に通うこと。ji taku to shoku ba ya gak kō na do to no aida o tei ki teki ni i ki ki su ru ko to ma ta a ru ba sho ni tei ki teki ni kayo u ko to

Word origin

The native Japanese verb 通う (kayō, "to go regularly or commute") forms 通い (kayoi, "commuting or regular attendance") through its noun-forming stem.

Usage tips

  • English learners may associate commuting only with work, but 通い (kayoi) also covers regular travel to school or lessons.

Other meanings

  • regular attendancenoun
  • going back and forthnoun

Opposites

  • 住み込みsumikomilive-in employmentnoun

Word lists with this word