Translation and Meaning of: 四つ角 - yotsukado

The word 「四つ角」 (yotsukado) is a Japanese term that refers to an intersection or crossing of streets in a cross format, where four paths meet. This term is composed of two kanji: 「四」 (yo) which means "four," and 「角」 (kado) which means "corner" or "angle." Thus, the literal translation would be something like "four corners." This expression is used to describe common intersections on roads, streets, or any path that divides into four distinct directions.

Etimologia e Componentes

• "四": This kanji is used for the number "four". It is one of the first numbers learned in Japanese and has various uses in daily life.
• "角": This kanji has multiple meanings, including "corner," "angle," or "edge." It is often associated with places of direction change.

The combination of these two kanji creates a visual expression that refers to an intersection, a point where four directions meet. The radical 「方」 (ho) in the word can be symbolically noted in intersections, characterizing directions or orientations.

Historically, intersections were important points in cities, being places of great movement and also of social interactions. Many merchants, travelers, and locals passed through the 「四つ角」 (yotsukado) of the cities, making them not only a point of logistics but also of gatherings and cultural exchanges. Nowadays, despite changes in urban dynamics, intersections are still vital for navigation and organization of cities in Japan.

In the modern context, the intersections of 「四つ角」 are often equipped with complex traffic light systems to manage the flow of vehicles and pedestrians, especially in densely populated metropolitan areas. In these locations, understanding the concept of 「四つ角」 is crucial to avoid accidents and ensure the safety of both drivers and pedestrians.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 四隅 (Yotsu-kado) - Four corners (refers to the four corners of a space or object)
• 四角 (Shikaku) - Square shape (can refer to a square or an area with four equal sides)
• 四辺角 (Shihen-kaku) - Four-sided corners (refers to the corners of objects that have four sides, such as rectangles)

四つ角

Romaji: yotsukado
Kana: よつかど
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n2

Translation / Meaning: four corners; crossroads

Meaning in English: four corners;crossroads

Definition: A shape with four sides and four corners.

Example Sentences - (四つ角) yotsukado

See below some example sentences:

四つ角は直角を持つ角です。

Yottsumi kado wa chokkaku o motsu kado desu

A square has right angles.

The four horns are a corner with a right angle.

• 四つ角 (yotsu kado) - It means "four corners" or "four angles".
• は (wa) - Grammatical particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case, "quatro cantos".
• 直角 (chokkaku) - It means "right angle".
• を (wo) - Direct object pronoun that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "right angle".
• 持つ (motsu) - Verb that means "to have" or "to possess".
• 角 (kado) - It means "angle".
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in polite form.