Translation guide
A person walking past a particular place. In Japanese, the most common and neutral word is 通行人. Other options exist for specific contexts, such as emphasizing the act of passing by or referring to people on the street in general.
The most general meaning: someone who happens to be walking by a location.
The standard, neutral word for a passerby. Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
通行人に道を尋ねた。
I asked a passerby for directions.
事故のとき、通行人が助けてくれた。
A passerby helped me when I had the accident.
Literally 'a person passing by'. Slightly more conversational and emphasizes the incidental nature of the encounter.
通りすがりの人が声をかけてきた。
A passerby called out to me.
A more literary or formal term for a pedestrian or passerby. Often seen in written language or signs.
行人は少なかった。
There were few passersby.
Referring to passersby collectively, often in the context of a street scene or public space.
A common phrase meaning 'people walking along the road'. Used to describe the general flow of pedestrians.
道行く人に配るチラシ
Flyers handed out to passersby
道行く人の服装がおしゃれだった。
The passersby were dressed stylishly.
Similar to 道行く人, but slightly more specific to a particular street or avenue.
通りを行く人たちが立ち止まった。
The passersby on the street stopped.
Emphasizing the anonymity or randomness of the person, often in a narrative or when describing an unexpected interaction.
Means 'a person who happened to pass by'. Highlights the chance nature of the encounter.
たまたま通りかかった人が、落とし物を拾ってくれた。
A passerby who happened to be there picked up my lost item.
Literally 'an unknown passerby'. Used when you want to stress that the person was a stranger.
見知らぬ通行人が突然話しかけてきた。
A stranger (passerby) suddenly spoke to me.
While 通行人 is the direct equivalent, Japanese often uses descriptive phrases like 通りすがりの人 or 道行く人 depending on context. Using 通行人 in every situation can sound stiff or overly formal in casual speech.
In Japanese, if the context already implies someone passing by, you can often omit the word entirely and just use 人 (person) or 誰か (someone). For example, 'A passerby helped me' can simply be 誰かが助けてくれた if the situation is obvious.