Signification
A road that is not wide.
Contexte culturel
Kyoto is famous for its 'Roji' (alleys). These narrow roads are often the only way to access traditional 'Machiya' townhouses. They create a unique sense of community where neighbors are physically very close. Golden Gai is a world-famous area of Shinjuku with over 200 tiny bars packed into six narrow alleys. The narrowness is part of the charm, forcing people to interact. Japanese cars (especially 'Kei' cars) are designed to be small specifically to navigate the country's many narrow roads. Driving a large foreign car on a '{狭|せま}い{道|みち}' is considered a nightmare for many locals. In modern Japan, narrow roads are seen as a risk during earthquakes. The government often incentivizes widening these roads to ensure fire trucks can pass, leading to a loss of traditional streetscapes.
Use for rooms too!
The adjective 'semai' is also the standard word for a 'small/cramped room.'
Watch your car mirrors
In Japan, a sign saying '{狭|せま}い{道|みち}' is a serious warning for drivers.
Signification
A road that is not wide.
Use for rooms too!
The adjective 'semai' is also the standard word for a 'small/cramped room.'
Watch your car mirrors
In Japan, a sign saying '{狭|せま}い{道|みち}' is a serious warning for drivers.
Slang version
Young people often say 'Sema!' to express surprise at how narrow something is.
The 'Taxi' test
If a road is a '{狭|せま}い{道|みち}', a taxi driver might ask to drop you off at the corner instead of going to the door.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct adjective form.
この{道|みち}はとても（ ）です。{車|くるま}は{通|とお}れません。
We need the dictionary form of the I-adjective to end the sentence.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'The road was narrow'?
Choose the correct past tense.
I-adjectives change 'i' to 'katta' for the past tense.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are driving and the road becomes very tight. What do you say?
'Semaku natte kimashita' means 'it has started to become narrow.'
Complete the dialogue.
A: タクシーで行きますか？ B: いいえ、あそこは（ ）から、歩きましょう。
The reason for walking instead of taking a taxi is usually that the road is too narrow for cars.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Semai vs. Hiroi
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesこの{道|みち}はとても（ ）です。{車|くるま}は{通|とお}れません。
We need the dictionary form of the I-adjective to end the sentence.
Choose the correct past tense.
I-adjectives change 'i' to 'katta' for the past tense.
You are driving and the road becomes very tight. What do you say?
'Semaku natte kimashita' means 'it has started to become narrow.'
A: タクシーで行きますか？ B: いいえ、あそこは（ ）から、歩きましょう。
The reason for walking instead of taking a taxi is usually that the road is too narrow for cars.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt's understandable, but '{狭|せま}い{道|みち}' is much more natural for describing width.
Usually, yes, it implies a lack of space. However, in travel, it can imply 'cozy' or 'traditional.'
The opposite is '{広|ひろ}い{道|みち}' (hiroi michi).
Use '{道|みち}が{狭|せま}くなってきました' (michi ga semaku natte kimashita).
Yes, '{狭|せま}い{橋|はし}' (semai hashi) is perfectly correct.
Yes, '{狭隘|きょうあい}' (kyouai) is used in formal documents.
Due to mountainous geography and historical urban planning for defense.
No, for long thin objects, use '{細|ほそ}い' (hosoi).
It specifically means 'narrow' or 'limited in area.' For 'small' in size/volume, use 'chiisai'.
No, '{道路|どうろ}' (douro) is more technical/formal.
Expressions liées
{細|ほそ}い{道|みち}
similarA thin or slender road
{広|ひろ}い{道|みち}
contrastA wide road
{路地裏|ろじうら}
specialized formBack alley
{小道|こみち}
similarA small path
{獣道|けものみち}
specialized formAnimal trail
{一方通行|いっぽうつうこう}
builds onOne-way street
