How to say "bridge" in Japanese
"Bridge" in Japanese is 橋 (hashi). In names, it often becomes 〜橋 (bashi), as in 日本橋 (Nihonbashi).
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Ways to say "bridge" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 橋はし · hashi | Bridge. |
| ブリッジぶりっじ · burijji | Bridge. In names and some loanwords. |
How to use it
Be careful with pronunciation: 橋 (bridge), 箸 (chopsticks) and 端 (edge) are all hashi, with different pitch.
To cross a bridge is 橋を渡る (hashi o wataru).
Example sentences
- あの橋を渡ってください。Ano hashi o watatte kudasai.Please cross that bridge.
- 日本橋に会社があります。Nihonbashi ni kaisha ga arimasu.Our office is in Nihonbashi.
- 橋の上から川が見えます。Hashi no ue kara kawa ga miemasu.You can see the river from the bridge.
- レインボーブリッジは夜きれいです。Reinbō burijji wa yoru kirei desu.Rainbow Bridge is beautiful at night.
- 橋の近くで待ち合わせましょう。Hashi no chikaku de machiawasemashō.Let's meet near the bridge.
- この橋は百年前にできました。Kono hashi wa hyakunen mae ni dekimashita.This bridge was built a hundred years ago.
Questions
Are 橋 and 箸 pronounced the same?
Both are hashi, but the pitch differs in standard Japanese: 橋 (bridge) rises, and 箸 (chopsticks) falls. Context usually makes the meaning clear.
Why is 日本橋 read Nihonbashi?
When 橋 (hashi) comes second in a compound, the h sound often changes to b: 日本橋 (Nihonbashi), 新橋 (Shinbashi).
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