1.
roadway, carriageway
The part of a road designated for vehicles, as opposed to sidewalks for pedestrians.
車道を歩くのは危険です。
It's dangerous to walk on the roadway.
自転車は車道を走らなければならない。
Bicycles must ride on the roadway.
子供が車道に飛び出した。
A child ran out onto the roadway.
ここは車道と歩道が分かれていない。
Here the roadway and sidewalk are not separated.
工事のため、車道の一部が通行止めになっている。
Part of the roadway is closed due to construction.
車道 combines 車 (vehicle) + 道 (road/way).
RELATED TERMS:
- 歩道 (sidewalk) - antonym
- 車線 (lane)
- 道路 (road)
- 国道 (national highway)
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 車道を走る (to drive on the roadway)
- 車道に出る (to go onto the roadway)
- 車道と歩道 (roadway and sidewalk)
USAGE NOTES:
- In Japan, bicycles are legally required to use 車道 in most cases
- Important vocabulary for traffic safety and driving