Japanese word

通りかかる

Pronunciation

Romajitōrikakaru

Meaning

  • verbhappen to pass by

Example

駅の前を通りかかりました。eki no mae o tō ri ka ka ri ma shi ta

I happened to pass by the station.

Illustration for 通りかかる (happen to pass by)

More examples

交差点を通りかかったとき、友達に会いました。kō sa ten o tō ri ka ka tta to ki tomo dachi ni a i ma shi ta

I met a friend when I happened to pass by the intersection.

Core concept

Shows someone coming to a place as part of passing through the area rather than as a planned destination.

Common phrases

  • 学校の前を通りかかるgak kō no mae o tō ri ka ka ru

    happen to pass by the school

  • そばを通りかかるso ba o tō ri ka ka ru

    happen to pass nearby

Similar words

通り過ぎるtōrisugiru: To go past a place or person without stopping there.
通るtōru: To move through or past a place while going somewhere.
通過するtsūkasuru: To pass through a place or point without stopping, often as part of a route.

Definition in Japanese

道を進む途中で、ある場所の前や近くを通る。michi o susu mu to chū de a ru ba sho no mae ya chika ku o tō ru

Word origin

通りかかる (tōrikakaru) joins 通り (tōri, "passing through") to かかる (kakaru, "to approach"), creating a verb that means to come near a place while passing along a route.

Usage tips

  • 通りかかる (tōrikakaru) often sets the scene for noticing or encountering something at the place one passes, rather than merely describing movement.

Word lists with this word