道(みち)なり

みちなり

noun

following the road; along the road

direction movement

1. following the road; along the road; as the road goes

Following the natural course of a road without turning off. Very common in giving and receiving directions.

道(みち)なりに進(すす)んでください。

Please go straight along the road.

この道(みち)を道(みち)なりに行(い)くと駅(えき)に着(つ)きます。

If you follow this road, you'll reach the station.

信号(しんごう)を過(す)ぎたら道(みち)なりに右(みぎ)にカーブして、二(ふた)つ目(め)の角(かど)を左(ひだり)に曲(ま)がってください。

After passing the traffic light, follow the road as it curves right, then turn left at the second corner.

Usage

道(みち)なり combines 道(みち) (road) and なり (as it is, following). It is almost always used with the particle に (道(みち)なりに) to mean "following the road." This is an essential expression for giving and understanding directions in Japanese.

Common collocations

道(みち)なりに進(すす)む (to proceed along the road)
道(みち)なりに行(い)く (to go along the road)
道(みち)なりに歩(ある)く (to walk along the road)

Similar words

まっすぐ means straight ahead, while 道(みち)なり means following the road even if it curves. When a road curves, 道(みち)なりに means to follow the curve rather than going straight off the road.

Related Words

Compare: まっすぐ (straight ahead)

general

Added 2026.3.9 19:27 · Revised 2026.9.9 0:23

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