交通

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 交通 (こうつう) is a noun for traffic or transportation involving the movement of people and vehicles.
• Basic usage: It describes congested traffic or an important means of transport on an island.
  • 朝は駅前の交通が混雑する。 — Traffic is congested in front of the station in the morning.
  • 島では船が大切な交通手段になっている。 — Boats are an important means of transport on the island.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Traffic and means of transport
  • 交通 covers movement and traffic as a whole, while 交通手段 identifies a specific means such as a boat or bus.