ルート

るーと
noun
route, path, channel
1. route, path, course
A way or course taken to get from one place to another, such as a hiking trail, driving route, or travel itinerary.
登山(とざん)ルートを確認(かくにん)する。
To check the climbing route.
カーナビが最短(さいたん)ルートを案内(あんない)してくれた。
The car navigation guided me along the shortest route.
渋滞(じゅうたい)()けるために(べつ)のルートを(とお)った。
I took a different route to avoid traffic.
2. channel, pipeline, connection
A means or channel through which something is obtained or distributed, such as a supply route or a personal connection used to acquire something.
独自(どくじ)のルートで仕入(しい)れている。
We procure goods through our own channels.
販売(はんばい)ルートを開拓(かいたく)する。
To develop sales channels.
海外(かいがい)から特別(とくべつ)なルートで輸入(ゆにゅう)した希少(きしょう)なワインだ。
This is a rare wine imported through a special channel from overseas.

USAGE:
ルート is broadly used for both physical paths and abstract channels. For physical travel, it overlaps with (みち) and 経路(けいろ), but ルート emphasizes a planned or chosen course rather than just a road.

Sense 2 (channel/pipeline) is common in business and often implies a special or exclusive connection.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 登山(とざん)ルート: mountain climbing route
  • 最短(さいたん)ルート: shortest route
  • バスルート: bus route
  • 販売(はんばい)ルート: sales channel
  • 仕入(しい)れルート: procurement channel
  • 入手(にゅうしゅ)ルート: acquisition channel