Translation guide
A main thoroughfare is a primary road or street in a city or town, often busy and lined with shops or businesses. In Japanese, the most common and natural equivalent is 大通り (ōdōri), but other terms exist depending on context, formality, and specific nuance.
The most common, everyday way to refer to a main street or avenue in an urban area, often bustling with activity.
The standard, neutral word for a main street or thoroughfare. Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
This main thoroughfare is always crowded.
Literally 'main street', often used in proper names (e.g., 〇〇本通り). Can sound slightly more formal or official than 大通り.
When referring to a major arterial road or highway, often connecting cities or regions, rather than a city street.
A major arterial road or trunk road. Used in traffic reports, urban planning, and formal contexts. Not typically used for small city streets.
I avoided the traffic jam on the main thoroughfare and took a back road.
A general term for a major road. Slightly less technical than 幹線道路, but still formal. Often used in official documents or news.
When the thoroughfare has a historical or traditional character, often preserved as a tourist attraction.
Refers to a historic highway or post road, often from the Edo period. Now used for roads that retain a traditional atmosphere or in names like 〇〇街道.
The Old Tokaido was once a main thoroughfare.
An archaic or poetic term for a main street or broad avenue. Rarely used in modern conversation, but may appear in historical contexts or literature.
大通り is the most common and neutral term for a main street. 本通り is often part of a proper name and can sound slightly more formal. メインストリート is a casual loanword, frequently used for shopping streets or in tourist contexts.
The English phrase 'main thoroughfare' can sound formal or technical. In everyday Japanese, 大通り is usually sufficient. Using 主要道路 or 幹線道路 for a small city street would sound unnatural.
It's a shop facing the main street in front of the station.
A loanword from English, commonly used in casual conversation or in names of shopping streets. Slightly more informal than 大通り.
There are many shops on this town's main street.
Ginza Main Street is known for its high-end shops.
Refers to a prominent, bustling main street, often the most famous or busiest in an area. Has a slightly literary or descriptive feel.
This main thoroughfare is bustling with tourists.
The main thoroughfares in this area are well-maintained.
A market was held on the capital's main thoroughfare.