traffic
道路を通っている車やバス、トラックなどのことだよ。混んでいると進むのが大変だね。
Traffic represents the collective movement of vehicles, and it is always treated as an uncountable noun in English.
30秒でわかる単語
- Refers to vehicles moving on roads.
- Uncountable noun; never use plural 'traffics'.
- Often used to describe road congestion.
Summary
Traffic represents the collective movement of vehicles, and it is always treated as an uncountable noun in English.
- Refers to vehicles moving on roads.
- Uncountable noun; never use plural 'traffics'.
- Often used to describe road congestion.
Use adjectives for traffic intensity
Always pair traffic with adjectives like heavy, light, or slow to describe the flow. This helps listeners understand the road conditions immediately.
Avoid using the plural form
Never say 'there are many traffics.' Instead, say 'there is a lot of traffic' or 'there is much traffic.'
Traffic culture varies by city
In many English-speaking countries, traffic laws are strictly enforced. Understanding local traffic rules is essential for safety when driving abroad.
例文
4 / 4The traffic is very heavy this morning.
Due to road construction, traffic will be diverted.
I'm stuck in traffic, so I'll be late.
Urban density correlates with increased vehicular traffic.
語族
覚え方のコツ
Think of a 'T' for 'Traffic' and 'T' for 'Total'—it is the total number of cars. Since it is a total, you cannot count them individually, so it remains uncountable.
Overview
The word 'traffic' is a fundamental noun used to describe the flow of transportation. While it primarily refers to road vehicles, it can also extend to the movement of people, aircraft, or even data across a network. In everyday conversation, it is most frequently used to discuss road congestion.
Usage Patterns
'Traffic' is an uncountable noun. This is a critical grammatical point; we do not say 'a traffic' or 'traffics.' Instead, we use quantifiers like 'a lot of traffic,' 'heavy traffic,' or 'no traffic.' It can function as the subject of a sentence, such as 'Traffic is bad today,' or as an object, as in 'I am stuck in traffic.'
Common Contexts
The most common context for this word is commuting. People often talk about 'morning traffic' or 'rush hour,' which refers to the peak times when roads are most crowded. It is also used in urban planning, logistics, and travel reports. Beyond roads, you might hear about 'air traffic' (planes) or 'internet traffic' (data flow), showing its versatility in modern technological contexts.
Similar Words Comparison: While 'congestion' or 'gridlock' specifically describe a state where movement is blocked or slow, 'traffic' is a neutral term for the vehicles themselves. 'Commute' refers to the journey itself rather than the vehicles on the road. Understanding that 'traffic' is the collective noun for the vehicles helps distinguish it from the specific conditions of the road surface or the duration of a trip.
使い方のコツ
Traffic is a neutral term that fits in almost any register. Always treat it as singular when using verbs, e.g., 'The traffic is moving.' Avoid using it as a countable noun under any circumstances.
よくある間違い
The most frequent error is treating traffic as a countable noun, such as saying 'a traffic' or 'many traffics.' Remember that it is a collective noun. Another error is confusing it with the act of driving.
覚え方のコツ
Think of a 'T' for 'Traffic' and 'T' for 'Total'—it is the total number of cars. Since it is a total, you cannot count them individually, so it remains uncountable.
語源
The word comes from the Old Italian 'traffico', which is of uncertain origin. It likely relates to trade and commerce, as the movement of goods was the original form of 'traffic'.
文化的な背景
In many modern cities, managing traffic is a major political and environmental issue. It is a central theme in urban life, affecting how people work and live.
例文
The traffic is very heavy this morning.
everydayDue to road construction, traffic will be diverted.
formalI'm stuck in traffic, so I'll be late.
informalUrban density correlates with increased vehicular traffic.
academic語族
よく使う組み合わせ
よく使うフレーズ
rush hour
traffic light
traffic warden
よく混同される語
A commute is the journey itself, whereas traffic is the collection of vehicles on the road during that journey.
Transport refers to the system or method of moving people or goods, while traffic refers to the actual presence of vehicles in motion.
文法パターン
Use adjectives for traffic intensity
Always pair traffic with adjectives like heavy, light, or slow to describe the flow. This helps listeners understand the road conditions immediately.
Avoid using the plural form
Never say 'there are many traffics.' Instead, say 'there is a lot of traffic' or 'there is much traffic.'
Traffic culture varies by city
In many English-speaking countries, traffic laws are strictly enforced. Understanding local traffic rules is essential for safety when driving abroad.
自分をテスト
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
There was so much ___ that I arrived late to the meeting.
Traffic is an uncountable noun, so it does not take an 's' or an indefinite article.
Select the correct phrase.
Which of these is grammatically correct?
This uses the correct uncountable noun structure with a descriptive adjective.
Rearrange the words to form a correct sentence.
stuck / I / in / was / traffic
This follows standard English subject-verb-object word order.
スコア： /3
よくある質問
4 問Traffic is an uncountable noun. You should never add an 's' to it or use 'a' before it.
Rush hour refers to the specific times of day when traffic is at its heaviest, usually during morning and evening commutes. It is when most people are traveling to or from work.
Yes, it can refer to air traffic (planes), maritime traffic (ships), or even internet traffic (data moving through a network).
You can use terms like 'heavy traffic,' 'a traffic jam,' or 'gridlock' to describe high volumes of vehicles.
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"There was a lot of traffic on the road this morning."
関連語彙
travelの関連語
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B1自分の国を出て、他の国に行ったり滞在したりすることです。
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A2飛行機とは、エンジンと翼を持つ、空を飛ぶ乗り物のことです。
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A2A wide street or road with trees along it.
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A2旅行に行く時に持っていくスーツケースやバッグのことです。荷物の総称です。
bike
A2車輪が二つある乗り物です。これで速く移動できます。
bus stop
A2バスが止まる場所のことだよ。乗客を乗せたり降ろしたりするんだ。
cabin
A2小屋とは、特に田舎にある小さくてシンプルな家だよ。
came
A1「来る」の過去形です。人や物がどこかへ到着したことを表します。
camp
A2テントなどを張って、外でしばらく生活する場所のことだよ。
camping
A2テントを張って外で寝泊まりすること。自然の中で過ごすアウトドアの楽しみの一つだよ。
