heavy traffic
ازدحام مروري
直訳: ثقيل (heavy) + حركة مرور (traffic)
Use `heavy traffic` to describe slow roads or explain why you are running behind schedule.
15秒でわかる
- Used to describe a high volume of slow-moving vehicles.
- Commonly used as a reason or excuse for being late.
- Works in both professional and casual daily conversations.
意味
This phrase describes a situation where there are too many cars on the road. It means traffic is moving very slowly or has stopped completely.
主な例文
3 / 6Arriving late to a business meeting
I apologize for being late; there was heavy traffic on the I-95.
أعتذر عن التأخير؛ كان هناك ازدحام مروري كثيف على الطريق السريع I-95.
Texting a friend while stuck in a car
Still 20 mins away. Heavy traffic is killing me!
لا أزال على بعد 20 دقيقة. الازدحام المروري يقتلني!
Checking the news in the morning
The radio says to expect heavy traffic near the bridge today.
تقول الإذاعة توقعوا ازدحاماً مرورياً كثيفاً بالقرب من الجسر اليوم.
文化的背景
The term became a staple of daily life with the post-WWII boom of car ownership in the US and UK. In many English-speaking cultures, complaining about traffic is a social bonding ritual used to break the ice. It is often used as a 'polite excuse' for being late, even if you just woke up late!
The 'Hit' Trick
Instead of saying 'there was', try saying 'I hit heavy traffic.' It sounds much more like a native speaker!
Don't say 'Big Traffic'
Even though the jam is large, English speakers never say 'big traffic.' Stick to 'heavy' or 'bad'.
15秒でわかる
- Used to describe a high volume of slow-moving vehicles.
- Commonly used as a reason or excuse for being late.
- Works in both professional and casual daily conversations.
What It Means
Heavy traffic is what happens when a road is packed with vehicles. Think of it like a slow-moving river of steel and rubber. It does not mean the cars are physically heavy. It means the volume of cars is high. You feel it when your 10-minute drive takes 40 minutes. It is the universal symbol of being late.
How To Use It
You use it as a noun phrase. You can say there is heavy traffic or you hit heavy traffic. It usually follows verbs like expect, avoid, or encounter. If you are stuck behind a bus, you are in it. If you are looking at a map app, you are checking for it. It is a very flexible and common expression.
When To Use It
Use it whenever you need to explain a delay. It is perfect for professional meetings when you arrive late. It works for texting a friend to say you are on your way. You will hear it on news reports and GPS voice commands. Use it at the dinner table to complain about your commute. It is the safest excuse in the English-speaking world.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for a small group of cars. If there are only five cars, it is just traffic. Do not use it for people walking in a hallway. For people, we usually say it is crowded. Avoid using it if the road is completely blocked by an accident. In that case, use gridlock or standstill. It is about volume, not just a single obstacle.
Cultural Background
In many Western cities, talking about heavy traffic is a national pastime. It is the ultimate small-talk topic. In places like Los Angeles or London, it defines people's entire schedules. People plan their lives around avoiding the heavy traffic of rush hour. It is a shared struggle that everyone understands and hates equally. It is the one thing that connects a CEO and a student.
Common Variations
You might hear people say thick traffic or bumper-to-bumper traffic. If it is really bad, they might call it a parking lot. On the news, they often use the word congestion. However, heavy traffic remains the most natural way to say it. It is simple, clear, and used by everyone from kids to grandparents.
使い方のコツ
The phrase is extremely safe to use in any setting. Just remember that 'heavy' is the standard adjective; using 'thick' or 'big' will sound unnatural to native ears.
The 'Hit' Trick
Instead of saying 'there was', try saying 'I hit heavy traffic.' It sounds much more like a native speaker!
Don't say 'Big Traffic'
Even though the jam is large, English speakers never say 'big traffic.' Stick to 'heavy' or 'bad'.
The Universal Excuse
In the US and UK, blaming 'heavy traffic' is the most accepted excuse for being 5-10 minutes late, even if it's not entirely true!
例文
6I apologize for being late; there was heavy traffic on the I-95.
أعتذر عن التأخير؛ كان هناك ازدحام مروري كثيف على الطريق السريع I-95.
A professional way to justify a delay.
Still 20 mins away. Heavy traffic is killing me!
لا أزال على بعد 20 دقيقة. الازدحام المروري يقتلني!
Informal and shows frustration.
The radio says to expect heavy traffic near the bridge today.
تقول الإذاعة توقعوا ازدحاماً مرورياً كثيفاً بالقرب من الجسر اليوم.
Used for reporting or predicting road conditions.
Did you hit heavy traffic in your hallway? You're an hour late!
هل واجهت ازدحاماً مرورياً في ممر منزلك؟ لقد تأخرت ساعة!
Sarcastic use to tease someone who is always late.
I'm so exhausted; the heavy traffic on the way home was brutal.
أنا مرهق جداً؛ كان الازدحام المروري في طريق العودة للمنزل وحشياً.
Focuses on the emotional toll of driving.
We should leave early to beat the heavy traffic.
يجب أن نغادر باكراً لنتجنب الازدحام المروري الكثيف.
Used for planning and prevention.
自分をテスト
Choose the best word to complete the sentence about a busy morning.
I missed the start of the movie because of ___ traffic.
In English, we always use the adjective `heavy` with `traffic` to describe a high volume of cars.
Complete the common phrase used when traveling.
We ___ heavy traffic on our way to the airport.
To `hit traffic` is a common idiom meaning you encountered or reached a congested area.
🎉 スコア： /2
ビジュアル学習ツール
Formality of 'Heavy Traffic'
Texting friends or family.
Traffic is bad!
Standard daily use.
There is heavy traffic.
News reports or official documents.
Expect significant traffic congestion.
When to say 'Heavy Traffic'
Work Excuse
Sorry, heavy traffic held me up.
Weather News
Rain is causing heavy traffic.
GPS Alerts
Heavy traffic detected ahead.
Small Talk
Was the traffic heavy today?
よくある質問
10 問No, 'large' is not used for traffic. You should always use heavy traffic or a lot of traffic.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss in an email like I am stuck in heavy traffic or with a friend.
The opposite is light traffic. For example, The roads were great; traffic was very light.
Usually no. For people, we use heavy foot traffic or just say it is crowded.
It is a more descriptive way to say heavy traffic where cars are so close their bumpers are almost touching.
Yes, it is used globally in all major English dialects including British, American, and Australian.
You can say I'm stuck in heavy traffic or I'm sitting in heavy traffic.
Not necessarily. It could just be rush hour or a lot of people going to work at the same time.
Yes, that is perfectly correct. For example: The traffic is really heavy this afternoon.
Rush hour is the specific time of day (usually morning and evening) when you always see heavy traffic.
関連フレーズ
Rush hour
The busy times of day when people travel to and from work.
Gridlock
A situation where traffic is so heavy that no one can move.
Bumper-to-bumper
Cars traveling very close together because of congestion.
Bottle-neck
A place where the road narrows, causing traffic to slow down.
Snarl-up
A British informal term for a messy traffic jam.
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