Translation guide
In British English, a motorway is a major road designed for fast traffic, with multiple lanes and limited access. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 高速道路 (kōsoku dōro), but there are nuances depending on context.
The speaker wants to refer to a motorway in general, without specifying a particular type or name.
The standard word for 'motorway' or 'expressway'. It is widely understood and used in both spoken and written Japanese.
高速道路で事故があった。
There was an accident on the motorway.
高速道路を運転するのは疲れる。
Driving on the motorway is tiring.
A common abbreviation of 高速道路, used in casual conversation. It can also appear in compound words like 高速バス (express bus).
高速に乗る前にガソリンを入れよう。
Let's get petrol before we get on the motorway.
The speaker wants to refer to a specific motorway by its name or number.
In Japan, motorways have names like 東名高速道路 (Tōmei Expressway) or 首都高速道路 (Shuto Expressway). When referring to a specific British motorway, you can say 'M1' as is, or describe it as 'M1高速道路'.
M1はよく渋滞する。
The M1 is often congested.
東名高速道路で事故があった。
There was an accident on the Tomei Expressway.
The speaker is talking about the motorway network as a whole, or the concept of motorways.
Literally 'motorway network'. Used in formal or technical contexts.
日本の高速道路網はよく整備されている。
Japan's motorway network is well developed.
The speaker is talking about the act of driving on a motorway, or using it for travel.
A common phrase meaning 'to get on the motorway'. 乗る (のる) is used for boarding or getting onto a road.
次のインターチェンジで高速に乗ります。
We'll get on the motorway at the next interchange.
Means 'to get off the motorway'. 降りる (おりる) is used for exiting a road.
次の出口で高速を降りてください。
Please get off the motorway at the next exit.
高速道路 (kōsoku dōro) is the general term for expressways. 自動車道 (jidōsha dō) is used in official names like 東名高速道路, but is less common in everyday speech. Stick with 高速道路 for general use.
東名高速道路は正式には東名自動車道とも呼ばれる。
The Tomei Expressway is also officially called the Tomei Motorway.
In American English, 'highway' can refer to any main road, not necessarily a controlled-access motorway. In Japanese, 高速道路 specifically means a controlled-access expressway. For a general main road, use 幹線道路 (かんせんどうろ) or simply 道路 (どうろ).
大雪のため高速道路が閉鎖された。
The motorway was closed due to heavy snow.
この高速道路にサービスエリアはありますか？
Is there a service area on this motorway?