기차
gicha[kit͡ɕʰa̠]
The English word 'train' is translated into Korean as 기차 (gicha). Wiktionary also lists 열차 (yeolcha) and 렬차 (ryeolcha).
Meaning: line of connected cars or carriages (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 기차 | gicha | [kit͡ɕʰa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 열차 | yeolcha | [jʌ̹ʎt͡ɕʰa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 렬차 | ryeolcha | [ɾjʌ̹ʎt͡ɕʰa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | North Korea |
The words refer to a line of connected cars or carriages. While both 기차 and 열차 are used to refer to trains, 기차 is typically used when talking about the vehicle itself in a casual way, whereas 열차 is often used when referring to a specific scheduled service or a train set.
Which one should you use?
기차 is the most common, everyday word for a train used in general conversation. 열차 is a more formal or technical term often used in announcements, news or official transport contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
렬차 is the spelling used for 'train' in North Korean dialect.
How do you pronounce it?
gicha
Did you know?
- The word 기차 literally translates to 'steam car', combining the characters for 'steam' and 'vehicle'.
- Because 렬차 follows North Korean orthography, using it in South Korea might make you sound like you are reading from a North Korean textbook.
- When discussing the concept of a 'train line' or 'railway', Korean speakers often use different roots than the ones used for the physical train itself.
Examples in context
- 나는 기차로 집에 갔어.I went home by train.This sentence shows how to express traveling by means of a 기차.Tatoeba #8363541 by Eunhee, translation #6357165 by CK
- 톰이 기차를 놓친 것 같아.I think that Tom missed the train.This sentence illustrates a situation where someone missed a 기차.Tatoeba #8361805 by Eunhee, translation #7169397 by CK
- 나는 2분 차이로 열차를 놓쳤다.I missed the train by two minutes.This sentence demonstrates missing a specific 열차 by a certain amount of time.Tatoeba #11106779 by intertime, translation #259781 by CK
- 저는 기차를 타고 서울로 갈 거예요.I'll take a train to Seoul.
- 이 기차는 인천으로 가나요?Does this train go to Incheon?
- 우리 전철로 어디까지 갈 수 있을까?How far can we go on the subway?
- 나 지하철에서 만나자.Let's meet at the subway station.
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a train station platform.
- 도현 Do-hyeon기차가 곧 도착할 거예요.gichaga got dochak-hal geo-ye-yo.The train will arrive soon.
- 서연 Seo-yeon도현 씨, 기차표는 샀어요?Dohyeon ssi, gichapyo-neun sass-eo-yo?Dohyeon, did you buy the train tickets?
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 이미 다 샀어요.Ne, imi da sass-eo-yo.Yes, I already bought them all.
- 서연 Seo-yeon다행이네요. 얼른 타요.Dahaeng-i-ne-yo. Eolleon tayo.That's a relief. Let's hurry and board.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “train” translations and entries 기차, 열차, 렬차, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 기차, 열차, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
