狭い道
semai michi
Narrow road
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use '{狭|せま}い{道|みち}' to describe any physical path, street, or alleyway that lacks width or is difficult to pass through.
- Means: A physically narrow road or path.
- Used in: Driving, walking through old towns, or giving directions.
- Don't confuse: Avoid using this for 'narrow-minded' people; use '{心|こころ}が{狭|せま}い' instead.
Explanation at your level:
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
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
Où l'utiliser
Driving a rental car
Driver: この{道|みち}、ちょっと{狭|せま}くない？
Passenger: うん、かなり{狭|せま}い{道|みち}だね。{気|き}をつけて。
Walking in Kyoto
Friend A: この{狭|せま}い{道|みち}の{先|さき}に、いいカフェがあるんだよ。
Friend B: へえ、こんなところに！おもしろいね。
Asking for directions
Tourist: すみません、この{道|みち}は{車|くるま}で{通|とお}れますか？
Local: いいえ、そこはとても{狭|せま}い{道|みち}なので、{無理|むり}ですよ。
Complaining about a hotel location
Guest: ホテルまでの{道|みち}が{狭|せま}すぎて、タクシーが{入|はい}れませんでした。
Staff: {申|もう}し{訳|わけ}ございません。{古|ふる}い{街|まち}なので{道|みち}が{狭|せま}いんです。
Cycling in the city
Cyclist 1: {狭|せま}い{道|みち}なのに{人|ひと}がいっぱいだね。
Cyclist 2: そうだね、{降|お}りて{歩|ある}こうか。
Real estate viewing
Agent: こちらの{物件|ぶっけん}は、{前|まえ}の{道|みち}が{少|すこ}し{狭|せま}いのが{欠点|けってん}です。
Client: たしかに、{狭|せま}い{道|みち}ですね。{車|くるま}が{置|お}けるかな。
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'Semi' (truck) trying to fit into a 'Semai' (narrow) road. It's too tight!
Visual Association
Visualize a tiny, moss-covered alleyway in Kyoto where you have to turn your shoulders sideways to pass another person.
Rhyme
Semai michi, hard to reachy!
Story
You are driving a big SUV in Tokyo. You turn a corner and see a sign that says '{狭|せま}い{道|みち}'. You try to go through, but your side mirrors scrape the walls. You realize you should have stayed on the '{広|ひろ}い{道|みち}'.
Word Web
Défi
Next time you are on Google Maps in a Japanese city, look for the smallest gray lines and say out loud: 'これは{狭|せま}い{道|みち}ですね。'
In Other Languages
Narrow road
English 'narrow' is more versatile for personality traits.
Calle estrecha
Spanish often places the adjective after the noun (calle estrecha).
Rue étroite
French uses 'étroit' for 'narrow-minded' (esprit étroit), similar to English but unlike Japanese.
Enger Weg
German 'Weg' is more general, like 'way' or 'path'.
窄路 (Zhǎilù)
Chinese often uses '小路' (small road) for what Japanese calls 'semai michi'.
좁은 길 (Jobeun gil)
Almost no difference in usage or nuance.
طريق ضيق (Tariq dayyiq)
Arabic adjectives follow the noun and agree in gender/number.
Estrada estreita
Nuance of 'estreita' can also mean 'close' (as in a close relationship) in some contexts.
Easily Confused
Learners think it means a 'narrow road' in a person's heart.
This is an idiom for 'narrow-minded' or 'intolerant.' Never use '{道|みち}' here.
Both mean narrow/cramped.
'Semagurushii' is much more negative, implying it's so narrow it's painful or suffocating.
FAQ (10)
It'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.
