電車
densha[dẽ̞ɰ̃ɕa̠]
The English word train can be translated into Japanese as 電車 (densha). Wiktionary also lists 列車 (ressha) and 汽車 (kisha).
Meaning: line of connected cars or carriages (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 電車 | densha | [dẽ̞ɰ̃ɕa̠] (narrow) |
| 列車 | ressha | [ɾe̞ɕːa̠] (narrow) |
| 汽車 | kisha | [kʲiɕa̠] (narrow) |
While 電車 is the everyday word for the electric trains that dominate modern Japanese rail, other terms exist for specific contexts such as technical descriptions or historical steam locomotives.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 電車 is composed of 電 (electricity) and 車 (vehicle/car).
Which one should you use?
電車 specifically refers to electric trains, which are the most common type of train in modern Japan. 列車 is a more formal or technical term used to describe a train as a single rolling stock unit or a scheduled service. 汽車 specifically refers to steam-powered trains and is rarely used for modern rail transport.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
densha
Did you know?
- Japan has a unique culture of 'pushers' known as 押し屋 who help cram passengers into a 電車 during rush hour.
- The character 車 used in both 電車 and 汽車 is a pictograph that originally depicted a simplified drawing of a chariot or carriage.
- In Japan, it is a common custom for passengers to stand in perfectly straight, silent lines on the platform before the 電車 arrives.
Examples in context
- 電車来たよ。Here comes the train.This sentence is useful for announcing the arrival of the 電車.Tatoeba #9032518 by bunbuku, translation #33133 by CK
- 電車で行こう。Let's take a train.This sentence is useful for suggesting traveling by 電車.Tatoeba #124815 by tommy_san, translation #279178 by CK
- 電車通勤です。Every day, I take the train to work.This sentence is useful for describing a commute via 電車.Tatoeba #11138220 by small_snow, translation #4487318 by AlanF_US
- 772 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are standing on a station platform.
- 美咲 Misaki次の電車は何分で来るかな？Tsugi no densha wa nanpun de kuru kana?I wonder how many minutes until the next train comes?
- 健太 Kentaあと三分くらいだと思うよ。Ato sanpun kurai da to omou yo.I think it will be about three more minutes.
- 美咲 Misakiあ、電車が来た！A, densha ga kita!Oh, the train is here!
- 健太 Kenta急いで乗ろう、美咲。Isoide norou, Misaki.Let's hurry and get on, Misaki.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “train” translations and entries 電車, 列車, 汽車, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
