近道・近路|ちかみちchikamichi[2]nakadaka (mid-high)

Common
Which spelling to use
近道近道 is the most common written form. Use it when writing this word, including when referring to a shorter way or shortcut.
近路近路 is a rarely used written form. You will seldom see it, so choose 近道 instead when writing this word.
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, intransitive verbshorter way; shortcut
    学校がっこうへの近道ちかみちだよ。↗
    It's a shortcut to the school.
Conjugation
Dictionary form近道する(ちかみちする)
Polite (masu)近道します(ちかみちします)
Negative (nai)近道しない(ちかみちしない)
polite (masen)近道しません(ちかみちしません)
classical zu / nu近道せず・近道せぬ(ちかみちせず・ちかみちせぬ)
Past (ta)近道した(ちかみちした)
polite (mashita)近道しました(ちかみちしました)
Past negative (nakatta)近道しなかった(ちかみちしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)近道しませんでした(ちかみちしませんでした)
Te form近道して(ちかみちして)
Potential近道できる(ちかみちできる)
Passive近道される(ちかみちされる)
Causative近道させる(ちかみちさせる)
Causative passive近道させられる(ちかみちさせられる)
Conditional (ba)近道すれば(ちかみちすれば)
tara近道したら(ちかみちしたら)
Volitional近道しよう(ちかみちしよう)
polite (mashou)近道しましょう(ちかみちしましょう)
Imperative近道しろ(ちかみちしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym早道はやみちNeutralLike 「近道」 but stresses saving time: a route that gets you there faster, or figuratively a quicker, more time-saving method.
  • Synonym捷径しょうけいWrittenWritten/formal term for a shortcut, mostly figurative, as in 「成功への捷径」.
  • Related抜け道ぬけみちNeutralA side road for dodging traffic jams; also a loophole or way out of trouble. Focus is on getting around an obstacle, not distance.
  • Antonym遠回りとおまわりNeutralAntonym: taking a long way round even though a shorter route exists; the opposite of cutting across via 「近道」.
  • Antonym迂回路うかいろNeutralAntonym: a detour or alternative route taken when a road is closed by construction, an accident, etc.; opposite of the direct 「近道」.

Use 「近道」 for a shorter route or an easier method, as in 「近道する」 or 「上達の近道」. Emphasizing speed, use 「早道」; in formal prose, 「捷径」; a side road that dodges traffic, 「抜け道」. The antonym is 「遠回り」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. (サ変さへん)ほかの道みちに比くらべ距離きょりの短みじかい道みち。早道はやみち。捷径しょうけい。また、その道みちを行いくこと。
  2. ほかの方法ほうほうに比くらべ手間てまの掛かからない方法ほうほう。早道はやみち。捷径しょうけい。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

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