針路(しんろ)

しんろ
noun
course, direction, bearing
See also: 進路(しんろ) (course, career path)
1. course, direction, bearing (nautical/aviation)
The direction in which a ship or aircraft is traveling or should travel. A technical term used in navigation.
船長(せんちょう)は針路(しんろ)を変更(へんこう)した。
The captain changed course.
台風(たいふう)の接近(せっきん)により、針路(しんろ)を北(きた)に取(と)った。
Due to the approaching typhoon, we set a northward course.
針路を取る = to set a course
嵐(あらし)を避(さ)けるため、船(ふね)は針路(しんろ)を大(おお)きく変(か)えて南(みなみ)へ向(む)かった。
To avoid the storm, the ship changed course significantly and headed south.
2. course, path (figurative)
The direction or path one takes in life or in pursuing a goal. Used metaphorically.
針路(しんろ)を決(き)める。
To decide the course.
会社(かいしゃ)は新(あたら)しい針路(しんろ)を示(しめ)す必要(ひつよう)がある。
The company needs to show a new direction.
Figurative use
国(くに)の経済(けいざい)政策(せいさく)は大(おお)きな針路(しんろ)転換(てんかん)を迫(せま)られている。
The country's economic policy is being forced into a major change of course.
針路転換 = change of course/direction

USAGE: 針路(しんろ) literally means 'needle path' (referring to a compass needle) and is primarily used in nautical and aviation contexts. In everyday language, 方向(ほうこう) (direction) or 進路(しんろ) (course, path) are more common.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

HOMOPHONE: 進路(しんろ) means 'one's way forward, career path, route' - same reading but different meaning and usage.

Related Words

Contrast: 進路(しんろ) (path, career direction)
general
Added 2026.1.13 20:35 · Revised 2026.5.29 22:09
04000/04034_shinro