The Meaning of kōtsū [交通] In Japanese

交通
こうつう
Romaji: kōtsū N5

What does 交通 mean?

Translation and Meaning

traffic, transportation

Definition

Traffic or transportation: the movement of people and goods through roads, rail, and other networks, and the system that enables such movement within a city or region.

Type

noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • traffic flow: the movement of vehicles and pedestrians on streets and through intersections
  • transport system: the network of services and facilities enabling travel
  • traffic-related terms: phrases like traffic volume, traffic signals, and traffic rules

Etymology

On’yomi for 交 (kō) and 通 (tsū), combined to form kōtsū; a Sino-Japanese compound reflecting Chinese influence on Japanese vocabulary.

Origin

The concept emerged with urbanization and the expansion of transport networks; there is no single first usage date, but the modern sense of traffic and transportation was solidified during Japan’s modernization era.

Composition

  • 交: exchange, crossing; indicates interaction or crossing paths
  • 通: to go through, to pass; indicates passage along a route or network

Usage

Used in formal and technical discourse such as urban planning, traffic management, and transport engineering, as well as in everyday speech in compounds like 交通機関 and 交通渋滞; standalone usage is less common but understood.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine two roads crossing (交) and people passing through (通) as a visual cue for movement and exchange; this helps recall that 交通 refers to movement through a network.

Variations

  • 輸送, yusō — transport of goods
  • 運輸, unyu — conveyance and transport
  • 交通機関, kōtsūkikan — means of transportation
  • 交通網, kōtsūmō — transportation network
  • 交通量, kōtsūryō — traffic volume

Example Phrases

  • 今朝の交通が混んでいて、私は遅刻しそうだ。
    kesa no kōtsū ga konde ite, watashi wa chikoku shisō da.
    The morning traffic is heavy, and I might be late.
    Lista:
    • 今朝の (kesa no) – morning
    • 交通 (kōtsū) – traffic
    • が (ga) – subject marker
    • 混んでいて (konde ite) – is crowded (te-form)
    • 私は (watashi wa) – I
    • 遅刻しそうだ (chikoku shisō da) – might be late
    Here, the noun 「交通」 means traffic; it is the subject marked with が, and the te-form ‘混んでいて’ connects the ongoing condition to the result.
交通