切符
kippu[kʲip̚pɯ̟]
In Japanese, the word for ticket is 切符 (kippu). Wiktionary also lists 券 (ken) and チケット (chiketto).
Meaning: admission to entertainment (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 切符 | kippu | [kʲip̚pɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 券 | ken | [kẽ̞ɴ] (narrow) |
| チケット | chiketto | [t͡ɕi̥ke̞t̚to̞] (narrow) |
The term refers to admission to entertainment.
Which one should you use?
There are three main ways to refer to a ticket. 切符 is generally used when talking about transportation tickets. チケット is a loanword from English used for specific types of tickets like event tickets or plane tickets, often providing a more modern or stylish nuance for things like concerts or theater. 券 is typically used as a suffix in compound words to denote a specific type of voucher or ticket, such as an admission ticket.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of issuing or selling a ticket, you can use the idiomatic phrase 切符を切る, which literally means 'to cut a ticket'.
How do you pronounce it?
kippu
Did you know?
- While 切符 usually means a ticket, the phrase 切符を切る can be used as a metaphor for 'sealing someone's fate' or reaching a point of no return.
- The word 切符 comes from the practice of splitting a 'tally' or wooden strip in half to verify identity, combined with the word for 'cut'.
- Many Japanese train stations still use physical 切符 with magnetic strips, even as the rest of the world moves toward QR codes and digital apps.
Examples in context
- 切符代、ある？Do you have money for a ticket?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has money for a 切符.Tatoeba #10744342 by small_snow, translation #10744330 by sundown
- あなたの切符よ。Here's a ticket for you.This sentence is useful for handing someone a 切符.Tatoeba #13864877 by small_snow, translation #10774379 by CK
- 切符は三日間有効だ。The ticket is good for three days.This sentence is useful for describing the validity period of a 切符.Tatoeba #142093 by bunbuku, translation #1409674 by CK
- 駅で切符を買いました。I bought a ticket at the station.
- 切符が必要ですか？Do you need a ticket?
- コンサートのチケットを買いました。I bought concert tickets.
- 飛行機のチケットを予約しましたか？Did you book plane tickets?
- 映画の切符を取ったよ。I got movie tickets.
- 切符がないんだよ。I don't have a ticket.
- 明日のライブのチケット持ってる？Do you have tomorrow's live concert tickets?
- 最前列のチケットゲットした！I scored front-row tickets!
- 191 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yota and Misaki are arriving at a movie theater.
- 陽太 Yota美咲、切符は持ってる？Misaki, kippu wa motteru?Misaki, do you have the tickets?
- 美咲 Misakiうん、私が持ってるよ。Un, watashi ga motteru yo.Yes, I have them.
- 陽太 Yotaよかった。早く入ろう。Yokatta. Hayaku hairou.Good. Let's go in quickly.
- 美咲 Misakiあ、切符を忘れた！A, kippu o wasureta!Oh, I forgot the tickets!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ticket” translations and entries 切符, 券, チケット, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries チケット, 切符, 券, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
