走行車線(そうこうしゃせん)

そうこうしゃせん
noun
driving lane; travel lane
1. driving lane; travel lane; cruising lane
The left lane (in Japan) of a multi-lane road or expressway, intended for normal-speed driving. Contrasted with the passing lane.
走行車線(そうこうしゃせん)を走(はし)ってください。
Please drive in the travel lane.
追(お)い越(こ)しが終(お)わったら走行車線(そうこうしゃせん)に戻(もど)る。
After passing, return to the driving lane.
高速道路(こうそくどうろ)では、走行車線(そうこうしゃせん)を基本(きほん)とし、追越車線(おいこししゃせん)は追(お)い越(こ)し時(じ)のみ使用(しよう)する。
On expressways, the driving lane is the default, and the passing lane should only be used when overtaking.

A compound of 走行(そうこう) (running, driving) + 車線(しゃせん) (lane). In Japan, where traffic drives on the left, the 走行車線(そうこうしゃせん) is the leftmost lane, and the 追越車線(おいこししゃせん) (passing lane) is on the right.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 走行車線(そうこうしゃせん)を走(はし)る: to drive in the travel lane
  • 走行車線(そうこうしゃせん)に戻(もど)る: to return to the travel lane
  • 走行車線(そうこうしゃせん)と追越車線(おいこししゃせん): travel lane and passing lane

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 追越車線(おいこししゃせん): passing lane — the faster lane used for overtaking
  • 車線(しゃせん): lane — the general term for a traffic lane
  • 路肩(ろかた): road shoulder — the emergency strip alongside the road
general
Added 2026.4.20 22:17
24500/24736_soukoushasen