細 道(ほそみち)

ほそみち

noun

narrow path; narrow lane

1. narrow path; narrow road; narrow lane

A path or road that is narrow. Can refer to physical narrow paths in nature or between buildings, as well as appearing in literary and cultural contexts.

細道(ほそみち)を歩(ある)く。

To walk along a narrow path.

家(いえ)と家(いえ)の間(あいだ)の細道(ほそみち)を抜(ぬ)ける。

To pass through the narrow lane between houses.

山(やま)の中(なか)の細道(ほそみち)をたどっていくと、小(ちい)さな神社(じんじゃ)が見(み)えた。

Following the narrow path through the mountains, a small shrine came into view.

A compound of 細(ほそ)い (narrow/thin) + 道(みち) (path/road).

Common collocations

細道(ほそみち)を通(とお)る: to go through a narrow path
細道(ほそみち)を抜(ぬ)ける: to pass through a narrow lane
細道(ほそみち)に入(はい)る: to enter a narrow path

Cultural note

Famously appears in the title of Matsuo Basho's travel journal 奥(おく)の細道(ほそみち) (The Narrow Road to the Interior, 1689), one of the most celebrated works of Japanese literature.

Similar words

小道(こみち): small path — a diminutive, charming path; more literary
路地(ろじ): alley, back lane — typically an urban narrow passage between buildings
裏道(うらみち): back road — a road behind main streets, used as a shortcut

Related Words

Compare: 小道(こみち) (small path)

Compare: 路地(ろじ) (alley, back lane)

Compare: 裏道(うらみち) (back road)

general

Added 2026.4.9 2:26 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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