Translation guide
In Japanese, the word for 'pavement' depends on whether you mean the sidewalk for pedestrians, the paved road surface, or paving materials. The most common everyday term is 歩道 (hodō) for sidewalk.
The paved path alongside a road where people walk.
The standard word for sidewalk or pavement in the sense of a pedestrian walkway. Used in everyday conversation and official contexts.
歩道を歩いてください。
Please walk on the pavement.
この歩道は狭いですね。
This pavement is narrow, isn't it?
Literally 'people path', used in formal or legal contexts, such as traffic signs or regulations. Less common in daily speech.
ここは人道です。自転車は通れません。
This is a pavement. Bicycles are not allowed.
The hard surface of a road, as opposed to a dirt road.
A paved road. Used when distinguishing from unpaved roads. 舗装 means 'paving'.
この道は舗装道路ですか？
Is this road paved?
Paving or pavement as a surface. Often used in compound words or technical contexts.
A paved road/path. A descriptive phrase using the passive form of 舗装する.
舗装された道を探しています。
I'm looking for a paved road.
The material used to pave a surface.
Paving material. Technical term used in construction or engineering.
この舗装材は耐久性が高い。
This paving material is highly durable.
Asphalt. The most common paving material for roads. Often used in everyday contexts.
道路にアスファルトを敷く。
They lay asphalt on the road.
Paving stones or flagstones, often used for garden paths or decorative pavements.
In British English, 'pavement' means sidewalk, but in American English it often means the road surface. In Japanese, 歩道 (hodō) specifically means sidewalk, while 道路 (dōro) means road. Use 歩道 for the pedestrian path.
歩道 is the everyday word for sidewalk. 人道 is more formal and often seen on signs or in legal texts. In conversation, stick with 歩道.
The road pavement is damaged.
庭に敷石を並べた。
I arranged paving stones in the garden.