1.
the road home; one's way home
The path or journey back to one's home. A literary and somewhat poetic word, often evoking feelings of nostalgia, longing, or the comfort of returning home.
家路を急いだ。
I hurried home.
夕暮れに家路につく人々が見えた。
I could see people heading home at dusk.
仕事を終え、疲れた足で家路をたどった。
After finishing work, I made my way home on tired legs.
A compound of 家 (home) and 路 (road/path), creating a word with a warm, slightly literary feel. The 路 suffix appears in other path-related words like 帰り路 (way back) and 旅路 (journey).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 家路につく: head for home, set off homeward
- 家路を急ぐ: hurry home
- 家路をたどる: make one's way home
- 家路に向かう: head toward home
CULTURAL NOTE:
The Dvořák melody known in English as "Going Home" is called 家路 in Japanese and is widely recognized. It is commonly played as a closing announcement in parks, department stores, and public facilities to signal that it is time to leave.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 帰り道: the way back — more everyday and practical; refers simply to the route one takes when returning
- 帰路: return journey — more formal; used in written or official contexts
- 旅路: journey, travel — shares the 路 suffix but refers to a longer trip or journey, not specifically going home