1.
the streets, the public, the world at large
The general public sphere or everyday world. Used to refer to what is being talked about, what is popular, or what is happening among ordinary people.
巷で話題になっている。
It is the talk of the town.
巷には様々な噂が飛び交っている。
Various rumors are flying around in the streets.
巷で流行している健康法がテレビでも取り上げられ、さらに注目を集めている。
A health method popular among the public was also featured on TV, drawing even more attention.
USAGE:
巷 is a somewhat literary or journalistic word referring to the general public sphere. It is often used to introduce what people are talking about or what is trending. Common patterns include 巷では (in the public sphere, among people) and 巷で話題の (the talk of the town). While it literally means streets or crossroads, it is rarely used in a purely geographical sense in modern Japanese.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 巷で話題の: the talk of the town
- 巷に溢れる: to be all over the streets
- 巷の声: the voice of the people
- 巷で流行る: to be popular among people