トラック
torakku[to̞ɾa̠k̚kɯ̟]
The English word truck is translated into Japanese as トラック (torakku). Wiktionary also lists 貨物自動車 (kamotsu jidōsha).
Meaning: heavier motor vehicle designed to carry goods (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| トラック | torakku | [to̞ɾa̠k̚kɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 貨物自動車 | kamotsu jidōsha |
The word truck refers to a heavier motor vehicle designed to carry goods. You may see references to specific types such as semi-trailer trucks or pickup trucks in related contexts.
What does it mean word for word?
The formal term 貨物自動車 is a compound of 貨物, meaning cargo or goods and 自動車, meaning automobile or motor vehicle.
Which one should you use?
トラック is the everyday term used in most situations. In contrast, 貨物自動車 is a technical term used to denote the vehicle in more specific contexts.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
トラック is the most common and widely used way to say truck. 貨物自動車 is a formal term used in official documents, such as traffic laws or driver's licenses.
How do you pronounce it?
torakku
Did you know?
- Japanese has a specific term デコトラ (dekotora) for 'decorated trucks' which are heavily customized with neon lights and chrome plating.
- While トラック refers to the vehicle, the word can also mean a 'track' or 'trail' in other Japanese contexts, such as a music track or a running track.
- The Japanese word for truck, トラック, is a loanword from English, but it is distantly related to the word トロッコ, which means 'mine cart' or 'trolley'.
Examples in context
- 危ない！トラックが来るぞ！Look out! There's a truck coming!This sentence shows how to use トラック when warning someone about an oncoming vehicle.Tatoeba #183596 by bunbuku, translation #20718 by saeb
- トラックが車にぶつかった。The truck bumped into a car.This sentence uses トラック to describe a collision between a truck and a car.Tatoeba #199746 by bunbuku, translation #36948 by CK
- トラックが犬をはねたんだ。A truck hit the dog.This sentence uses トラック to describe an accident involving a dog.Tatoeba #199750 by bunbuku, translation #36953 by CK
- この倉庫にはトラックが一台あります。There is one truck in this warehouse.
- 72 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A man and a woman are watching construction work from a street.
- 陽葵 Himari健太さん、あのトラックを見て！Kenta-san, ano torakku o mite!Kenta, look at that truck!
- 健太 Kenta本当だ、すごく大きいトラックだね。Hontou da, sugoku ookii torakku da ne.You're right, it's a huge truck.
- 陽葵 Himariあんな大きな車は初めて見たわ。Anna ookina kuruma wa hajimete mita wa.It's the first time I've seen such a big vehicle.
- 健太 Kenta陽葵さんは、あれが怖くないの？Himari-san wa, are ga kowakunai no?Himari, aren't you scared of that?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “truck” translations and entries トラック, 貨物自動車, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries トラック, 貨物自動車, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
