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.
道なりに進んでください。
Please go straight along the road.
この道を道なりに行くと駅に着きます。
If you follow this road, you'll reach the station.
信号を過ぎたら道なりに右にカーブして、二つ目の角を左に曲がってください。
After passing the traffic light, follow the road as it curves right, then turn left at the second corner.
USAGE:
道なり combines 道 (road) and なり (as it is, following). It is almost always used with the particle に (道なりに) to mean "following the road." This is an essential expression for giving and understanding directions in Japanese.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 道なりに進む (to proceed along the road)
- 道なりに行く (to go along the road)
- 道なりに歩く (to walk along the road)
SIMILAR WORDS:
まっすぐ means straight ahead, while 道なり means following the road even if it curves. When a road curves, 道なりに means to follow the curve rather than going straight off the road.