歩道(ほどう)

ほどう
noun
sidewalk, pavement
1. sidewalk, pavement, footpath
A paved path for pedestrians alongside a road.
歩道(ほどう)を歩(ある)いてください。
Please walk on the sidewalk.
歩道(ほどう)に自転車(じてんしゃ)が止(と)まっている。
A bicycle is parked on the sidewalk.
歩道橋(ほどうきょう)を渡(わた)って反対側(はんたいがわ)に行(い)く。
I'll cross using the pedestrian overpass to get to the other side.

A paved path for pedestrians running alongside a road. Composed of 歩(ほ) (walk) + 道(どう) (road, path).

COMMON COMPOUNDS:

  • 歩道橋(ほどうきょう): pedestrian overpass
  • 横断歩道(おうだんほどう): crosswalk, pedestrian crossing
  • 遊歩道(ゆうほどう): promenade, walking path

RELATED WORDS:

  • 車道(しゃどう): roadway for vehicles
  • 道路(どうろ): road (general)
  • 通路(つうろ): passage, walkway (indoor)

CULTURAL NOTE:
In Japan, bicycles are often legally permitted on sidewalks (especially wide ones or when marked), unlike in many Western countries. Signs indicating 自転車(じてんしゃ)通行(つうこう)可(か) mark sidewalks where cycling is allowed.

Related Words

Related: 車道(しゃどう) (roadway)
general
Added 2026.1.12 21:24 · Revised 2026.4.3 21:43
03500/03723_hodou