裏道(うらみち)

うらみち
noun
back street; shortcut; hidden path
geography
1. back street; back road; alley
A lesser-known or secondary road away from the main streets.
裏道(うらみち)を通(とお)って帰(かえ)る。
To go home via the back streets.
渋滞(じゅうたい)を避(さ)けるために裏道(うらみち)を使(つか)った。
I used a back road to avoid the traffic jam.
この裏道(うらみち)には小(ちい)さなカフェや雑貨屋(ざっかや)がたくさんあって、散歩(さんぽ)するのが楽(たの)しい。
This back street has many small cafés and general stores, making it fun to stroll through.
2. shortcut; underhanded method
A quicker alternative route, or figuratively, an improper way of doing something.
渋滞(じゅうたい)を避(さ)けるために裏道(うらみち)を使(つか)った。
I used a back road to avoid the traffic jam.
裏道(うらみち)を使(つか)えば学校(がっこう)まで五分(ごふん)で着(つ)ける。
If you take the shortcut, you can get to school in five minutes.
彼(かれ)は実力(じつりょく)ではなく裏道(うらみち)を使(つか)って出世(しゅっせ)したと噂(うわさ)されている。
It is rumored that he got promoted through underhanded methods rather than real ability.

裏道(うらみち) refers to a secondary or less-traveled road behind or away from main streets, and by extension, a shortcut or an underhanded way of doing things. The literal sense describes quiet side streets, while the figurative sense implies bypassing proper channels.

Etymology

A compound of 裏(うら) (back, reverse) + 道(みち) (road, path).

Similar words

The figurative sense of "underhanded method" parallels English "back-door dealings."

Related Words

Compare: 表通(おもてどお)り (main street, front road)
Compare: 近道(ちかみち) (shortcut)
Compare: 回(まわ)り道(みち) (detour)
Related: 抜(ぬ)け道(みち) (shortcut)
Compare: 細道(ほそみち) (narrow path)
general
Added 2026.3.25 22:28 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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