Translation guide
The English word 'path' can refer to a physical route, a course of action, or a metaphorical journey. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
A way or track for walking, hiking, or traveling.
General word for road, street, or path. Very common.
この道をまっすぐ行ってください。
Go straight along this path.
A narrow path or lane, often in a natural setting.
森の中の小道を歩いた。
I walked along a path through the forest.
A route or path that one regularly takes; a way through.
ここは通学の通り道です。
This is the path I take to school.
A walking path or promenade, often for leisure.
川沿いの散歩道を散歩した。
I strolled along the riverside path.
A way of doing something; a plan or approach.
Also used metaphorically for a way or path in life or career.
自分の道を進むべきだ。
You should follow your own path.
Policy, course, or direction, often in business or formal contexts.
Course or path, especially in education or career.
Route or path, often technical or for navigation.
A spiritual, emotional, or developmental journey.
Journey or path, emphasizing the distance or process.
成功への道のりは長い。
The path to success is long.
Journey or path of travel, often poetic.
人生という旅路。
The journey called life.
Process or course, focusing on stages.
The location of a file or directory in a file system.
Loanword from English, standard in computing.
ファイルのパスを入力してください。
Please enter the file path.
Also used in technical contexts for path or route.
新しい方針を決める必要がある。
We need to decide on a new path forward.
I discussed my path after graduation.
Search for the shortest path.
I learned a lot along the path of growth.
The network path was disconnected.