1.
bridge
A structure built to span a physical obstacle such as a river or road.
橋を渡る。
To cross a bridge.
川に橋がかかっている。
A bridge spans the river.
この橋は百年以上前に作られた。
This bridge was built over a hundred years ago.
石の橋を叩いて渡る。
To tap a stone bridge before crossing it (to be overly cautious).
Proverb meaning to be excessively careful.
二つの国の間に新しい橋が架けられた。
A new bridge was built between the two countries.
橋 means bridge, a structure spanning obstacles like rivers or roads.
HOMOPHONES (same pronunciation, different words):
- 橋: bridge (this word)
- 箸: chopsticks
- 端: edge, end
These are distinguished by kanji and pitch accent in speech.
COMMON COMPOUNDS:
- 石橋: stone bridge
- 歩道橋: pedestrian overpass
- 吊り橋: suspension bridge
- 鉄橋: iron/railway bridge
- 橋渡し: bridge-building, mediation
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 橋を渡る: to cross a bridge
- 橋がかかる: a bridge spans (over)
- 橋を架ける: to build a bridge
FIGURATIVE USE:
橋渡し means 'go-between' or 'mediator' - acting as a bridge between parties.