How to say 'Digression' or 'Derailment' in Japanese | 脱線

word

Meaning

Digression, Derailment

Reading

Kanji

脱Remove, Undress 線Line

Explanation

The Japanese verbal noun '脱線 (だっせん)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'derailment', referring to a train or vehicle going off its tracks. For example: The train derailed「電車が脱線した」(でんしゃがだっせんした). The second meaning is 'digression', referring to a conversation or discussion straying from the main topic. For example: The meeting went off topic「会議が脱線した」(かいぎがだっせんした). It's important to note that the context will determine which meaning is intended, as both are commonly used in Japanese.

Part Of Speech

verbal noun

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

6064

Composition

kanji

Handwriting