23
脱線

Derailment


Meaning

Derailment, Digression

Word Type

noun, verbal noun

Explanation

When something escapes from the line it should be on, that's a derailment. 脱線 can refer to train derailments (no surprise there), but often gets used figuratively to mean a digression, like in speech or writing. Do you ever derail conversations with your digressions?


Reading

だっせん

Explanation

This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you'll know how to read this as well.


Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 脱線防止

    derailment prevention

    脱線車両

    derailed vehicle

    脱線現場

    derailment site

  • 列車の脱線

    train derailment

    電車の脱線

    train derailment

    話の脱線

    digression in conversation

  • 脱線をする

    to derail, to digress

    脱線をしてしまう

    to unintentionally digress

    脱線をまぬがれる

    to avoid derailment

Context Sentences

話が脱線しました。

The conversation got sidetracked.

電車が脱線しましたが、ケガ人はありませんでした。

The train was derailed, but nobody was injured.

すいません、また脱線してしまいました。

Sorry, I got sidetracked again.


Kanji Composition