交差点（こうさてん、kousaten）
- intersection

The word 交差点 （こうさてん） means "intersection" or "crossroads". It refers to a place where two or more roads meet or cross each other. This includes areas with traffic lights, stop signs, or other traffic control measures. It is a fundamental concept in urban planning, transportation, and driving. The word emphasizes the crossing or intersecting of roads.

⚫︎あの交差点を右に曲がってください。 Translation: Please turn right at that intersection. ⚫︎事故は、大きな交差点で起きました。 Translation: The accident happened at a large intersection. ⚫︎その交差点は交通量が多いです。 Translation: That intersection has a lot of traffic.

You use 交差点 in any situation discussing roads, driving, or the location of buildings/places. It's a very common word, used to describe locations, give directions, or discuss traffic conditions. You can use it in both formal and informal conversations.

The word is typically written in kanji as 交差点. The reading uses hiragana as こうさてん. There are no other common ways to write this word. The okurigana is standard and doesn't have variations.

There aren't direct, perfect synonyms for 交差点, but words that are related to the concept include: ⚫︎十字路（じゅうじろ） - crossroads (literally "cross-shaped road") ⚫︎T字路（Tじろ） - T-junction (where one road meets another in the shape of a "T")

There aren't direct antonyms for 交差点, but concepts that are the opposite would include single roads, or a place where roads don't cross.

この交差点には信号がありますか？ ・Translation: Is there a traffic light at this intersection? ・Explanation: This sentence asks about the presence of a traffic light at a specific intersection, which is a common question when navigating by car or on foot.

そのお店は、交差点の角にあります。 ・Translation: That shop is on the corner of the intersection. ・Explanation: This sentence is used to give directions or describe the location of a building in relation to an intersection.

The word 交差点 is composed of the kanji 交（こう） which means "to cross," "to intersect," or "to mix"; and 差点（さてん） which originally means “a point". So 交差点 literally means "crossing point" or "intersection point." The word reflects the fundamental nature of what an intersection is: a place where roads intersect.