How to Say "Densha" in Japanese

電車

densha[dẽ̞ɰ̃ɕa̠]

The Japanese word densha means train.

The word densha is used to refer to a train. In Japanese, it specifically denotes a train that runs on electricity.

Which one should you use?

While densha refers to modern electric trains, the term kisha is used specifically for steam-powered trains.

To say you are riding or boarding a train, use the verb 乗る (noru) with densha.

densha

In Japan, it is common for passengers to remain completely silent on a densha, and talking on a mobile phone is considered a major social faux pas.
While densha describes the vehicle, the sound of a train's movement is often written as gatan goton to mimic the rhythmic clattering of wheels on the track.
Japanese train stations often play unique melodies called hassha melody to signal a densha is departing, with different songs for different stations.

Watashi wa kondo densha ni noru tsumori desu. (わたしはこんどでんしゃにのるつもりです)
I plan to take the train next time.
Densha ga okurete shimatta! (でんしゃがおくれてしまった！)
The train is late!
Densha ni noru mae ni kippu o kau (でんしゃにのるまえにきっぷをかう)
Buy a ticket before boarding the train.
電車に乗ります。
densha ni norimasu.
I will ride the train.
次の電車は何時ですか？
tsugi no densha wa nanji desu ka?
What time is the next train?
駅で電車を待ちます。
eki de densha o machimasu.
I wait for the train at the station.

Kenta and Misaki are deciding how to travel to the city center.

美咲 Misaki

どうやって行きますか。
Dou yatte ikimasu ka.
How are we going?
健太 Kenta

電車で行きましょう。
Densha de ikimashou.
Let's go by train.
美咲 Misaki

いいですね。そうしましょう。
Ii desu ne. Sou shimashou.
That sounds good. Let's do that.
健太 Kenta

駅まで歩きましょう。
Eki made arukimashou.
Let's walk to the station.

Sources

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