通行禁止(つうこうきんし)

Composed of 通行(つうこう) (passage, traffic) and 禁止(きんし) (prohibition). One of the most common regulatory phrases seen on Japanese road signs and barriers. The sign is a red circle with a horizontal white bar — recognizable to anyone who drives or walks in Japan.

Usage

Often appears as a noun phrase on signs, or with になる to describe a road being closed. Can apply to vehicles, pedestrians, or both depending on context. Temporary closures for festivals or construction are extremely common in Japanese cities.

Common collocations

• 通行禁止(つうこうきんし)になる: to become closed to traffic
• 通行禁止(つうこうきんし)区間(くかん): road-closed section
• 車両(しゃりょう)通行禁止(つうこうきんし): no vehicle traffic
• 歩行者(ほこうしゃ)通行禁止(つうこうきんし): no pedestrian traffic

Similar words

• 通行止(つうこうど)め: road closure — a more colloquial variant; commonly seen on electronic road signs and in casual speech
• 進入禁止(しんにゅうきんし): no entry — prohibits entering from a specific direction; a different traffic sign
• 立入禁止(たちいりきんし): no trespassing — prohibits entering an area entirely, not just passage through it
• 通行規制(つうこうきせい): traffic restriction — partial restrictions rather than a complete closure