Word
徐行
Meaning in Englishgoing slowly
Animated kanji stroke order
Sentence
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Word context
What it means
徐行 means to go slowly; to move at a slow pace, especially by reducing speed in traffic or when caution is required.
Main meanings
- deliberate, controlled pace in safety-critical contexts, highlighting the need to reduce speed and proceed with care.
- figurative use for gradual, careful progression in tasks, projects, or negotiations, implying patience and caution.
- formal or regulatory register, commonly appearing in signs, safety manuals, and official documents rather than casual speech.
How to use it
徐行 is used primarily in formal, official, or traffic-related contexts to indicate reduced speed and cautious motion; it is commonly seen on road signs, safety manuals, and technical documentation, while in everyday conversation speakers typically use 減速する or ゆっくり進む.
Variants and close terms
- 減速 gen-soku – decelerate
- 慎重に進む shinchō ni susumu – proceed cautiously
- 急速に進む kyūsoku ni susumu – advance rapidly
Composition
- 徐: gradual, slow, delaying; conveys a request to ease the pace
- 行: to go, to move, to act
Etymology
じょこう is the on’yomi reading formed by combining 徐(じょ) and 行(こう); the pronunciation follows standard Sino-Japanese compounding patterns rather than native readings.
Word class
noun (名詞); can function as a standalone noun or appear in the suru-verb form 徐行する
Word
Related words by kanji and components
N1
走行
soukou
running a wheeled vehicle (e.g., car, traveling)
N1
修行
shugyou
pursuit of knowledge, training, ascetic practice
N2
～行
～gyou
line, row
N2
行っていらっしゃい
itteirasshai
have a nice day, see you
N2
行ってらっしゃい
itterasshai
have a nice day, see you
N2
売行き
ureyuki
sales
N2
売れ行き
ureyuki
sales, demand
N2
行事
gyouji
event, function
N2
行列
gyouretsu
line, procession; matrix (math)
Kanji