The Japanese word 歩行者 (hokousha) is a formal noun used to describe a pedestrian, which is someone who is traveling on foot rather than in a vehicle. Understanding this word is absolutely crucial for anyone living in or visiting Japan, as it appears frequently in everyday life, particularly in the contexts of traffic safety, legal documents, news broadcasts, and urban navigation. The word is composed of three distinct kanji characters, each contributing to its overall meaning. The first kanji, 歩 (ho), means to walk or a step. The second kanji, 行 (kou), means to go or to journey. The third kanji, 者 (sha), means a person or someone who does a specific action. When combined, these three characters literally translate to a person who goes by walking, which perfectly encapsulates the concept of a pedestrian. In Japanese society, there is a very strong emphasis on traffic safety and the protection of vulnerable road users. Therefore, you will often hear the phrase 歩行者優先 (hokousha yuusen), which translates to pedestrians have the right of way. This concept is drilled into drivers during their education at driving schools and is strictly enforced by the police.
- Legal Context
- In Japanese traffic law, the term is used to legally define the rights and responsibilities of people on foot, distinguishing them from bicycles and motor vehicles.
Sentence 歩行者の安全を確保するために、新しい信号機が設置されました。
- News Broadcasts
- Whenever there is a traffic accident reported on television, the news anchors will invariably use this term to describe the victims or individuals involved who were not in vehicles.
Sentence 運転手は常に歩行者に注意を払わなければならない。
- Urban Planning
- City planners frequently use this term when designing sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian-only zones known as hokousha tengoku.
Sentence 日曜日はこの通りが歩行者天国になります。
Sentence 交差点では歩行者が優先されます。
Sentence 警察は歩行者の交通違反も取り締まっています。
Using the word 歩行者 (hokousha) correctly in sentences requires an understanding of its grammatical function as a noun and the common verbs and particles that accompany it in standard Japanese discourse. Because it is a formal term, it is most frequently paired with verbs related to safety, observation, priority, and movement within a structured environment. The most common particle to follow this word is the subject marker が (ga) or the object marker を (wo), depending on whether the pedestrian is the one performing an action or the one being acted upon by a driver or the environment. For instance, when expressing that pedestrians have the right of way, you would say 歩行者が優先される (hokousha ga yuusen sareru), where the pedestrian is the subject receiving the priority. Conversely, when instructing a driver to watch out for pedestrians, you would use the object marker and say 歩行者に注意する (hokousha ni chuui suru), meaning to pay attention to pedestrians.
- Using with Verbs of Observation
- It is very common to pair this word with verbs like 見る (to see), 発見する (to discover/spot), or 気をつける (to be careful of) when discussing driving or cycling.
Sentence 夜間は歩行者が見えにくいので気をつけてください。
- Compound Nouns
- This word frequently forms the first part of compound nouns, such as 歩行者天国 (pedestrian paradise/zone) or 歩行者専用道路 (pedestrian-only road).
Sentence ここは歩行者専用の道路なので、自転車から降りてください。
- Legal and News Contexts
- In news reports, you will often hear it used with verbs describing accidents, such as はねられる (to be hit by a vehicle) or 巻き込まれる (to be involved in).
Sentence トラックが交差点で歩行者をはねる事故がありました。
Sentence 歩行者の列に車が突っ込みました。
Sentence 横断歩道を渡る歩行者を妨害してはいけません。
The word 歩行者 (hokousha) is ubiquitous in Japan, but its usage is highly context-dependent. You are most likely to encounter this word in official, public, or instructional settings rather than in casual, everyday chats with friends. One of the most common places you will hear this word is during news broadcasts on television or radio. Whenever there is a segment about traffic safety, urban development, or unfortunately, traffic accidents, the newscasters will use this term to clearly identify the people on foot. Another major context is the Japanese driving school system. If you ever attempt to get a driver's license in Japan, this word will be drilled into your memory. Instructors constantly remind students of the absolute priority of pedestrians, using phrases that emphasize safety and caution.
- Public Announcements
- Train stations, shopping malls, and busy intersections often have automated audio announcements reminding cyclists to dismount and respect the safety of those walking.
Sentence 自転車は降りて、歩行者の迷惑にならないように通行してください。
- Signage and City Infrastructure
- You will see this word written on countless road signs, painted on the asphalt, and displayed on digital warning boards above highways.
Sentence 前方に歩行者用横断歩道があります。
- Police Campaigns
- During the national traffic safety weeks in spring and autumn, police officers hand out flyers and make speeches using this vocabulary extensively.
Sentence 高齢の歩行者を交通事故から守りましょう。
Sentence スマートフォンを見ながらの歩行者が増えており、危険です。
Sentence 警察は歩行者の安全指導を行っています。
When learning the word 歩行者 (hokousha), English speakers often make a few specific types of mistakes, primarily related to register, context, and confusion with similar-sounding or similar-meaning words. The most frequent error is using this highly formal, almost legalistic term in casual conversation where it sounds incredibly unnatural. For example, if you are telling a friend about someone you saw walking down the street, saying 'A hokousha was wearing a funny hat' sounds as bizarre in Japanese as saying 'A pedestrian was wearing a funny hat' does in casual English, but even more stilted. In casual speech, native speakers simply say 歩いている人 (aruite iru hito - a person who is walking).
- Register Mismatch
- Using this word when chatting with friends makes you sound like a police officer or a news anchor. Reserve it for formal writing, legal contexts, or serious discussions about traffic.
Sentence ✖ あそこに変な歩行者がいるよ。 / 〇 あそこを歩いている人、変だよ。
- Confusion with Toho (徒歩)
- Learners often confuse the noun for a person walking (hokousha) with the noun used to describe the method of traveling on foot (toho). You cannot say 'I went by hokousha'.
Sentence ✖ 駅まで歩行者で行きました。 / 〇 駅まで徒歩で行きました。
- Incorrect Kanji Readings
- Because the first kanji 歩 is commonly read as 'aru(ku)' in verbs, beginners sometimes misread the compound as 'arukousha' or 'hokoushimono'. It must be read with the on'yomi 'ho-kou-sha'.
Sentence 読み方の間違いに注意してください。「ほこうしゃ」が正しいです。
Sentence 歩行者を「あるくひと」と読んではいけません。
Sentence 会話では「歩いている人」を使いましょう。
The Japanese language is rich with vocabulary related to movement and people, and there are several words that are similar to or can be used as alternatives to 歩行者 (hokousha), depending heavily on the specific context and the required level of formality. Understanding the distinctions between these terms is a hallmark of an advanced learner. As previously mentioned, the most direct casual alternative is simply a descriptive phrase rather than a single noun: 歩いている人 (aruite iru hito - a person who is walking). This is what you use 90% of the time in daily conversation. However, in written Japanese or more specific contexts, other nouns come into play.
- 通行人 (Tsuukounin)
- This word means 'passerby'. While a passerby is usually a pedestrian, the focus of this word is on the fact that they are passing through a location, often used when asking for witnesses to an incident.
Sentence 警察は事件の目撃者を通行人に尋ねた。
- 徒歩 (Toho)
- This means 'on foot' or 'walking' as a method of transportation. It is not a person, but it shares the first kanji and the concept of walking.
Sentence 駅から学校まで徒歩で十分かかります。
- 散歩する人 (Sanpo suru hito)
- This refers specifically to someone who is taking a stroll or walking for leisure, often with a dog. It lacks the legal weight of hokousha.
Sentence 公園には散歩する人がたくさんいます。
Sentence 文脈に合わせて適切な単語を選びましょう。
Sentence 法律用語としては常にこの言葉が使われます。
Examples by Level
ここに歩行者がいます。
There is a pedestrian here.
Basic existence using ga imasu.
歩行者の道です。
It is a pedestrian path.
Noun modifier using no.
歩行者を見ます。
I see a pedestrian.
Direct object using wo.
あの人は歩行者です。
That person is a pedestrian.
Basic identification using desu.
歩行者が多いです。
There are many pedestrians.
Adjective description using ga.
歩行者の信号は青です。
The pedestrian light is green.
Possessive no.
歩行者に気をつけて。
Be careful of pedestrians.
Target of caution using ni.
歩行者が歩きます。
The pedestrian walks.
Subject marker ga.
運転する時は歩行者に注意してください。
Please be careful of pedestrians when driving.
Te-form request with kudasai.
この道路は歩行者専用です。
This road is exclusively for pedestrians.
Compound noun senyou.
歩行者が横断歩道を渡っています。
A pedestrian is crossing the crosswalk.
Present continuous te imasu.
自転車は歩行者の邪魔にならないようにしましょう。
Let's make sure bicycles don't get in the way of pedestrians.
Purpose clause you ni.
歩行者用のボタンを押してください。
Please push the button for pedestrians.
Suffix you meaning 'for the use of'.
右に曲がる時、歩行者を確認しました。
When turning right, I checked for pedestrians.
Time clause toki.
歩行者がいないので、車を進めます。
Because there are no pedestrians, I will move the car forward.
Reason clause node.
あの歩行者は急いでいるようです。
That pedestrian seems to be in a hurry.
Appearance you desu.
日本では、交通ルールとして歩行者が常に優先されます。
In Japan, as a traffic rule, pedestrians are always given priority.
Passive voice yuusen sareru.
休日の銀座は歩行者天国になり、車は入れません。
Ginza becomes a pedestrian paradise on holidays, and cars cannot enter.
Resulting state ni naru.
ニュースによると、歩行者が巻き込まれる事故が増えているそうです。
According to the news, I hear that accidents involving pedestrians are increasing.
Hearsay sou desu.
歩道がない道では、歩行者は右側を通行しなければなりません。
On roads without sidewalks, pedestrians must walk on the right side.
Obligation nakereba narimasen.
夜間は運転手から歩行者が見えにくくなるので、明るい服を着るべきです。
At night, it becomes hard for drivers to see pedestrians, so they should wear bright clothes.
Difficulty suffix nikui.
警察は、歩行者に対して信号無視をしないよう呼びかけています。
The police are calling on pedestrians not to ignore traffic lights.
Indirect quote you yobikakete iru.
新しい都市計画では、歩行者の安全性を高める工夫がされています。
In the new urban plan, measures are being taken to increase pedestrian safety.
Passive state sarete imasu.
歩行者と自転車の接触事故を防ぐための対策が必要です。
Measures are necessary to prevent collision accidents between pedestrians and bicycles.
Purpose tame no.
高齢の歩行者が犠牲となる痛ましい交通事故が後を絶たない。
Tragic traffic accidents where elderly pedestrians become victims are unending.
Advanced vocabulary gisei, ato wo tatanai.
自動運転車の開発において、予期せぬ歩行者の動きをどう予測するかが最大の課題だ。
In the development of self-driving cars, how to predict the unexpected movements of pedestrians is the biggest challenge.
Embedded question ka ga.
この交差点はスクランブル化されており、全方向の歩行者が一斉に横断できる。
This intersection has been made into a scramble crossing, allowing pedestrians in all directions to cross simultaneously.
Passive causative ka sarete ori.
歩行者保護の観点から、住宅街の制限速度を時速30キロに引き下げる条例が可決された。
From the perspective of protecting pedestrians, an ordinance was passed to lower the speed limit in residential areas to 30 km/h.
Perspective phrase kanten kara.
歩きスマホは周囲の状況への注意力を散漫にさせ、他の歩行者との衝突を招く恐れがある。
Using a smartphone while walking distracts attention from the surroundings and carries the risk of causing collisions with other pedestrians.
Risk expression osore ga aru.
ドライバーには、横断歩道に接近する際、歩行者の有無にかかわらず減速する義務がある。
Drivers have an obligation to decelerate when approaching a crosswalk, regardless of the presence or absence of pedestrians.
Regardless of ni kakawarazu.
歩行者空間の拡充は、地域の活性化や環境負荷の低減にも寄与すると考えられている。
The expansion of pedestrian spaces is thought to contribute to regional revitalization and the reduction of environmental impact.
Passive assumption kangaerarete iru.
悪天候時は歩行者の視界も悪くなるため、運転者は通常以上の警戒が求められる。
During bad weather, pedestrians' visibility also worsens, so drivers are required to be more vigilant than usual.
Passive requirement motomerareru.
道路交通法第38条は、横断歩道等における歩行者等の優先について厳格に規定している。
Article 38 of the Road Traffic Act strictly stipulates the priority of pedestrians and others at crosswalks and similar places.
Formal legal phrasing ni tsuite kitei shite iru.
都市のモビリティ変革に伴い、歩行者と電動キックボードなどのマイクロモビリティとの共存が新たな法的・社会的論点として浮上している。
Along with the transformation of urban mobility, the coexistence of pedestrians and micro-mobility devices like electric kickboards is emerging as a new legal and social issue.
Accompaniment ni tomonai.
当該事故の過失割合を算定するにあたり、歩行者側の予見可能性および回避可能性の有無が争点となった。
In calculating the negligence ratio of the said accident, the presence or absence of foreseeability and avoidability on the part of the pedestrian became the point of contention.
Formal occasion ni atari.
ウォーカブルなまちづくりを推進する自治体は、自動車中心の道路構造から歩行者主体の空間設計へのパラダイムシフトを図っている。
Municipalities promoting walkable city planning are aiming for a paradigm shift from car-centric road structures to pedestrian-centric spatial designs.
Intention hakatte iru.
夜間の幹線道路において、酩酊状態の歩行者が車道に飛び出したケースでは、運転者の信頼の原則がどこまで適用されるかが問われる。
In cases where an intoxicated pedestrian jumps into the roadway on a main road at night, the extent to which the driver's principle of trust applies is called into question.
Passive questioning towareru.
歩行者動線の綿密なシミュレーションに基づき、災害時の避難経路が最適化されるよう設計要件が見直された。
Based on a meticulous simulation of pedestrian flow lines, the design requirements were revised so that evacuation routes during disasters are optimized.
Basis ni motodzuki.
インフラの老朽化に伴う歩道橋の撤去は、結果として地上の歩行者トラフィックを増大させ、新たなボトルネックを生み出している。
The removal of pedestrian overpasses due to aging infrastructure has, as a result, increased ground-level pedestrian traffic, creating new bottlenecks.
Causative result wo zoudai sase.
交通弱者である歩行者を徹底的に保護するという理念は、現代の交通法体系の根幹を成す不可侵の原則である。
The philosophy of thoroughly protecting pedestrians, who are vulnerable road users, is an inviolable principle that forms the foundation of the modern traffic legal system.
Definitive assertion de aru.
判例は、歩行者の赤信号無視という重大な過失が介在した場合であっても、自動車運転者の業務上過失を直ちに免責するものではないと判示している。
Judicial precedents indicate that even in cases where a gross negligence such as a pedestrian ignoring a red light intervenes, it does not immediately exempt the automobile driver from professional negligence.
Concessive de atte mo.
近代都市論における歩行者の復権は、単なる交通工学上の課題にとどまらず、市民の公共空間に対する権利を取り戻すという高度に政治的な意味合いを帯びている。
The restoration of pedestrian rights in modern urban theory is not merely a problem of traffic engineering, but takes on a highly political implication of reclaiming citizens' rights to public spaces.
Limitation ni todomarazu.
高度経済成長期に構築された車社会のパラダイムは、現在、歩行者のアメニティを最優先するヒューマンスケールな都市設計へと、不可逆的な転換を遂げつつある。
The paradigm of the car society built during the period of rapid economic growth is currently undergoing an irreversible transformation into human-scale urban design that prioritizes pedestrian amenities above all else.
Ongoing transition tsutsu aru.
自動運転技術が完全な自律性を獲得するまでの過渡期において、システムが歩行者の非合理的な挙動をいかに解釈し、倫理的ジレンマを解決するかが、AI開発の深淵なるアポリアとなっている。
In the transitional period until autonomous driving technology achieves complete autonomy, how the system interprets the irrational behavior of pedestrians and resolves ethical dilemmas remains a profound aporia in AI development.
Philosophical framing aporia to natte iru.
そのルポルタージュは、深夜の歓楽街を徘徊する歩行者たちの群像を通して、現代社会の抱える孤独と疎外感を鮮烈に描き出している。
Through the ensemble of pedestrians wandering the late-night entertainment district, that reportage vividly portrays the loneliness and alienation harbored by modern society.
Example
歩行者は信号に従うべきだ。
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More travel words
くらい/ぐらい
B1Particle indicating extent, degree, or 'about/approximately'.
宿泊
B1The act of staying overnight in a place, such as a hotel or guest house. Essential for IELTS General Task 1 letters regarding travel complaints or bookings.
入場料
B1The fee paid to enter a place.
入場券
B1A ticket allowing entry to an event or place.
冒険
B1Adventure; an exciting or unusual experience.
手頃
B1Reasonable in price or size; affordable, suitable.
〜の後に
B1After (a noun or event).
〜の後で
B1After (time or place), behind.
飛行場
A2Airport.
航空会社
B1Airline company.
