What is the Kanji for "Car"?
If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for "Car", you've come to the right place!
The Japanese Kanji for "Car" is "車".
This kanji has 2 readings:
Its kunyomi reading is "Kuruma".
Its onyomi reading is "Sha".
kunyomi readings are based on the pronunciation of native Japanese words, and onyomi readings are based on the Chinese pronunciation of the character.
If you visually breakdown this kanji, you can see is made up of 2 parts:
The kanji "二" means "Two" and can be read as "Futa" and "Ni". And The kanji "申" means "Report" and can be read as "Shin" and "Mou".
Now, let's make sure you understand this kanji the other way around too.
What does the kanji "車" mean in japanese?
"車" means "Car" .
Japanese School Students learn this kanji in First Grade, while foreigners may learn this kanji in preparation for the JLPT N5 exam.
Here are some words that use this kanji:
車: "Car". The Japanese noun '車 (くるま)' means 'car'. This word is used to refer to a road vehicle, typically with four wheels, that is powered by an engine and is used to transport passengers. Cars are a common means of transportation in Japan and the word '車' is used extensively in everyday language. For example: I will go by car - (車で行きます). This is a nice car - (これはきれいな車です).
自転車: "Bicycle". The noun '自転車 (じてんしゃ)' refers to a two-wheeled vehicle powered by the rider pedaling. Bicycles are a common mode of transportation in many countries and can be used for commuting, exercise, or recreation. For example: I ride my bicycle to work every day - (私は毎日自転車で仕事に行きます). The family went for a bicycle ride in the park - (家族は公園でサイクリングをしました).
車道: "Roadway". The Japanese noun '車道 (しゃどう)' refers to the part of a road or street that is designated for vehicles to travel on. It is the portion of the road that is separate from the sidewalk or shoulder, and is meant for the flow of motor vehicles. For example: The car drove down the roadway - (車は車道を走った). Cars must stay on the roadway - (車は車道を走らなければならない).
自動車: "Car". The Japanese noun '自動車 (じどうしゃ)' means 'car'. It refers to a motor vehicle, typically with four wheels, that is powered by an engine and used to transport passengers. Cars are a common mode of transportation in Japan and worldwide. For example: I went to the store by car - (車で店に行きました). Let's go for a drive in my new car - (新しい車に乗って出かけましょう).
救急車: "Ambulance". The Japanese noun '救急車 (きゅうきゅうしゃ)' refers to an ambulance, which is a vehicle specially equipped to transport sick or injured people to a hospital. Ambulances are an important part of emergency medical services and are used to respond quickly to medical emergencies. For example: Call an ambulance - (救急車を呼んでください). I rode in an ambulance to the hospital - (病院へ救急車に乗って行きました).
停車: "Stop". The verbal noun '停車 (ていしゃ)' means 'to stop'. It refers to the action of coming to a halt, often used in the context of vehicles or transportation. For example: The train stopped at the station - (電車が駅に停車した). The car stopped at the red light - (車が赤信号で停車した).
駐車場: "Parking lot". The Japanese noun '駐車場 (ちゅうしゃじょう)' refers to a designated area or facility for parking vehicles. It is a common term used to describe public or private spaces set aside for the purpose of storing or leaving cars, trucks, or other motor vehicles when not in use. For example: I parked my car in the parking lot - (私の車を駐車場に止めた). The shopping mall has a large parking lot - (ショッピングモールには大きな駐車場がある).
消防車: "Fire truck". The Japanese noun '消防車 (しょうぼうしゃ)' refers to a vehicle used by fire departments to respond to emergencies and transport firefighters and equipment to the scene of a fire. These vehicles are typically large, red, and equipped with sirens and flashing lights to alert other drivers. They play a crucial role in fire prevention and emergency response. For example: The fire truck rushed to the scene - (消防車が現場に急いで向かった).
電車: "Train". The Japanese noun '電車 (でんしゃ)' refers to an electric train, subway, or other rail-based public transportation. It is a common and widely used term for trains in Japan. '電車' trains are powered by electricity, unlike steam or diesel trains. '電車' are an essential part of Japan's efficient public transportation system, carrying millions of commuters and travelers daily. For example: I took the train to work - (電車で仕事に行きました). Let's take the train to the city center - (市街地までは電車に乗りましょう).
下車: "Get off". The verbal noun '下車 (げしゃ)' means 'to get off (a vehicle)'. This term is used when someone disembarks from a train, bus, car, or any other mode of transportation. It implies leaving the vehicle and continuing one's journey on foot. For example: I got off the train at the central station - (私は中央駅で電車を下車しました). Please get off at the next stop - (次の停留所で下車してください).
列車: "Train". The Japanese noun '列車(れっしゃ)' means 'train'. It refers to a rail vehicle used to transport passengers or cargo. '列車' can be used to describe any type of train, including high-speed, commuter, or freight trains. For example: I took the train to work - (仕事に列車で行った). The train arrived at the station - (列車が駅に到着した).
乗車券: "Ticket". The Japanese noun '乗車券 (じょうしゃけん)' refers to a ticket that allows the holder to board a mode of transportation, such as a bus, train, or subway. It is a document that demonstrates the passenger has paid the required fare to travel. For example: I need to buy a train ticket - (電車の乗車券を買わなけれ ばなりません). Please show your bus ticket to the driver - (運転手に乗車券を見せてください).
乗車: "Ride" or "Board". The verbal noun '乗車 (じょうしゃ)' means 'to ride' or 'to board'. This word is used to refer to the act of getting on a train, bus, or other form of transportation. For example: I will ride the train - (電車に乗車します). He boarded the bus - (彼はバスに乗車した).
車庫: "Garage". The Japanese noun '車庫 (しゃこ)' means 'garage'. A garage is a building or area used to park and shelter vehicles, such as cars or motorcycles. It is commonly located adjacent to or attached to a house. For example: The car is parked in the garage - (車は車庫に停まっている). I need to park my car in the garage - (車を車庫に停めないといけない).
車輪: "Wheel". The noun '車輪 (しゃりん)' refers to the circular component attached to the axle of a vehicle that enables it to roll along a surface. Wheels are an essential part of many modes of transportation, such as cars, bicycles, and wagons. They allow for smooth and efficient movement. For example: The car has four wheels - (その車は四つの車輪がついている). The bicycle's wheels are spinning - (自転車の車輪が回っている).
車両: "Vehicle". The Japanese noun '車両 (しゃりょう)' means 'vehicle'. This word refers to any wheeled mode of transportation, such as a car, train, bus, or truck. It is a general term that encompasses a wide range of motorized vehicles. For example: I rode the train to work - (仕事に電車に乗りました). This bus is a large vehicle - (このバスは大きい車両です).
車掌: "Conductor". The Japanese noun '車掌 (しゃしょう)' means 'conductor'. It refers to the person responsible for overseeing the operations of a train or other form of public transportation, such as checking tickets, making announcements, and assisting passengers. This role is important for ensuring the smooth and safe operation of the transportation service. For example: The conductor helped me find my seat - (車掌が私の席を見つけるのを手伝ってくれた).
車椅子: "Wheelchair". 車椅子 (くるまいす) is the Japanese word for 'wheelchair'. It refers to a chair with wheels that is used by people with physical disabilities or mobility impairments to help them move around. Wheelchairs provide independence and mobility to those who need assistance getting from one place to another. For example: She uses a wheelchair to get around the office - (彼女はオフィスを移動するのに車椅子を使っています).
汽車: "Train". The Japanese noun '汽車 (きしゃ)' refers to a train, a railway vehicle that is powered by steam, diesel, or electricity and used to transport passengers or freight. This word is commonly used to describe trains in general, and can be used to refer to a wide variety of train types, including high-speed trains, local trains, and freight trains. For example: I will take the train to work - (私は仕事に汽車に乗って行きます).
駐車: "Parking". The verbal noun '駐車 (ちゅうしゃ)' refers to the act of parking a vehicle. It is commonly used in phrases like '駐車する (ちゅうしゃする)' which means 'to park'. For example: I parked my car - (車を駐車した). Parking lot - (駐車場).
To make really sure you learn this Kanji, I've prepared an interactive lesson for you. You are going to learn the readings and meanings of this kanji.
But first, you need to know a little bit about Hiragana and Katakana.
Hiragana and katakana are japanese syllabaries, this means that each character represents a syllable.
This are the characters you need to know for this lesson:
The hiragana "く" is read as "ku". The hiragana "る" is read as "ru". The hiragana "ま" is read as "ma". And The hiragana "し" is read as "shi".
