Synonym Comparison
The Nuance Difference: "交通" vs "道具"
Master the exact conceptual boundary between these Japanese terms.
Japanese Term A
交通
こうつう (kōtsū)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Term B
道具
どうぐ (dōgu)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
In Japanese, both 交通 and 道具 are often translated to English but have distinct usages.
交通 (こうつう (kōtsū)) represents "traffic; transportation; communication" (Level: N3) and typically represents Refers to traffic, transportation systems.
On the other hand, 道具 (どうぐ (dōgu)) translates to "tool; instrument; implement; device" (Level: N3) and is used for Refers to a tool, instrument, implement, or device to perform work. Often used as 道具を揃える or 便利ツール. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Tool! "I'm not using Haruka-san as a tool! I love you as a woman!" ...っ, B-Baka! T-To say that so passionately! B-But... you are allowed to monopolize me, not as a tool!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『どうぐ（道具）！『ハルカさんを道具だなんて思ってない！一人の愛すべき女性として愛してる！』って…っ, バカ！そんな情熱的に言うなんて！…道具じゃなくて、私のパートナーにしなさい！』. Mixing these up can sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers!
Bilingual Sentence for "交通"
この新しい住宅エリアは、駅のすぐ近くに位置しており、電車やバスなどのさまざまな_______手段が確保されているため、非常に住みやすいです。
Because this new residential area is located very close to the station and various means of transportation such as trains and buses are secured, it is extremely easy to live.
Bilingual Sentence for "道具"
人類が他の動物と異なる最も大きな特徴の一つは、高度な_______を自ら製作し、目的のために使用することです。
One of the biggest characteristics that distinguishes mankind from other animals is to produce advanced tools by themselves and use them for purposes.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "この新しい住宅エリアは、駅のすぐ近くに位置しており、電車やバスなどのさまざまな_______手段が確保されているため、非常に住みやすいです。" (Meaning: "Because this new residential area is located very close to the station and various means of transportation such as trains and buses are secured, it is extremely easy to live.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "交通" fits here because it represents "traffic; transportation; communication" in the context: "Because this new residential area is located very close to the station and various means of transportation such as trains and buses are secured, it is extremely easy to live.".