Meaning
electric train; train (used in Japanese urban transit)
Nuance & Usage
電車 literally means "electric train" and refers to the local/urban trains and subways that are the backbone of Japanese daily commuting. It is distinct from 新幹線 (shinkansen — bullet train) and 電車 is more specific than 列車 (ressha — train/rail service in general). Common phrases: 電車に乗る (board the train), 電車を降りる (get off the train), 電車が遅れる (the train is delayed). Japan's train system is famous for punctuality.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 電車 and 地下鉄 (chikatetsu — subway/metro) interchangeably, but 地下鉄 specifically refers to underground lines. In general conversation, 電車 is often used loosely for all trains. Also: don't confuse the particles — 電車に乗る (get on the train — に marks the vehicle) vs. 電車で行く (go by train — で marks the means of transport).
Example Sentences
毎日電車で会社に通っています。
まいにちでんしゃでかいしゃにかよっています。
I commute to work by train every day.
電車の中でスマホを使う人が多いです。
でんしゃのなかですまほをつかうひとがおおいです。
Many people use their smartphones on the train.
この電車は渋谷に止まりますか？
このでんしゃはしぶやにとまりますか？
Does this train stop at Shibuya?
Quick Quiz
N54 questionsTest your knowledge of 電車 with 4 different question types.
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