Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 自転車 | jitensha | [d͡ʑitẽ̞ɰ̃ɕa̠] (narrow) [d͡ʑidẽ̞ɰ̃ɕa̠] (narrow) |
|
| チャリンコ | charinko | [t͡ɕa̠ɾʲĩŋko̞] (narrow) | slang |
| チャリ | chari | [t͡ɕa̠ɾʲi] (narrow) | slang |
| ケッタ | ketta | [ke̞t̚ta̠] (narrow) | dialectal, slang |
The primary word for a bicycle is 自転車. You can also use the verb phrase 自転車に乗る to mean to ride a bike. For specific types of bicycles, such as a 'mom's bike' used for short trips around town, the term ママチャリ is used.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 自転車 is composed of ji (self), ten (rotate/spin) and sha (vehicle), literally meaning 'self-rotating vehicle'.
Which one should you use?
自転車 is the standard, polite term suitable for all situations. In contrast, チャリ and チャリンコ are informal slang terms. チャリ is a colloquial, shortened version of 自転車, while チャリンコ is a more playful or rhythmic slang variation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
自転車 is the standard term and should be used in formal settings. The slang terms チャリ and チャリンコ are informal and should be avoided in formal situations. チャリンコ is often used by children. ケッタ is also a slang term.
Is it said differently in some regions?
ケッタ is a dialectal slang term for a bicycle used in certain regions, often associated with specific areas or older generations.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
jitensha
When do people say it?
If you need to ask for a bike rental, you can use the phrase 自転車を貸してください.
Did you know?
- The standard word 自転車 was coined in 1870 and originally referred to a patented tricycle design rather than a bicycle.
Examples in context
- チャリ通です。I bike to work.This example shows how to use the slang form チャリ to describe commuting by bike.Tatoeba #10100368 by small_snow, translation #264478 by CK
- 自転車はあるの？Have you got a bike?This example uses the standard term 自転車 to ask if someone has a bike.Tatoeba #11910244 by small_snow, translation #2611846 by sundown
- これは君の自転車？Is this your bike?This example uses the standard term 自転車 to ask if a bike belongs to someone.Tatoeba #218624 by small_snow, translation #55938 by CK
- 私は毎日自転車で通勤します。I commute by bike every day.
- 駅周辺には、安いチャリがたくさんあります。There are a lot of cheap bikes around the train station.
- 子供の頃、友達と一緒にチャリンコで山へ遊びに行ったことを覚えています。I remember going to play in the mountains with my friends on bikes when I was a child.
- 108 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Youta and Himari are at a park talking about transportation.
- 陽太 Yota新しい自転車、かっこいいね。Atarashii jitensha, kakkoii ne.Your new bike is cool.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとう。陽太君の自転車も素敵だよ。Arigatou. Youta-kun no jitensha mo suteki da yo.Thanks. Your bike is lovely too, Youta.
- 陽太 Yotaこれ、走るのがすごく速いんだ。Kore, hashiru no ga sugoku hayai nda.This one is really fast to ride.
- 陽葵 Himari今度、一緒に走ろうね。Kondo, issho ni hashirou ne.Let's ride together sometime.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bike” translations and entries 自転車, チャリンコ, チャリ, ケッタ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ケッタ, チャリ, チャリンコ, 自転車, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
