四(よ)つ辻(つじ)

よつつじ
noun
crossroads; four-way intersection
geography
1. crossroads; four-way intersection
A place where four roads meet, forming a cross-shaped intersection. An older, more literary word compared to 交差点(こうさてん).
四(よ)つ辻(つじ)を右(みぎ)に曲(ま)がる。
Turn right at the crossroads.
古(ふる)い町並(まちな)みに四(よ)つ辻(つじ)がいくつもある。
There are many crossroads in the old townscape.
この四(よ)つ辻(つじ)は昔(むかし)から人(ひと)や物(もの)が行(い)き交(か)う賑(にぎ)やかな場所(ばしょ)だった。
This crossroads has been a lively place where people and goods have come and gone since long ago.

A compound of 四(よ)つ (four) and 辻(つじ) (intersection, street corner). 辻(つじ) is a kanji unique to Japanese (国字(こくじ)) that specifically means a road crossing.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 交差点(こうさてん): intersection — the standard modern term for any traffic intersection
  • 十字路(じゅうじろ): crossroads — literally "cross-shaped road"; somewhat formal
  • 辻(つじ): street corner, intersection — the base word; often appears in place names
  • 三叉路(さんさろ): T-junction, three-way fork

Cultural note

辻(つじ) and 四(よ)つ辻(つじ) carry cultural significance in Japanese folklore. Crossroads were traditionally considered liminal spaces where the human and spirit worlds met. Many folk rituals (辻占(つじうら) — divination at crossroads) took place at 四(よ)つ辻(つじ).

Related Words

Compare: 交差点(こうさてん) (intersection)
Compare: 十字路(じゅうじろ) (crossroads)
general
Added 2026.5.6 0:14 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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