- Train でんしゃ, subway ちかてつ, bullet train しんかんせん, station えき.
- 〜ゆき = bound for: しんじゅくゆき (bound for Shinjuku).
- のりかえ = transfer. 〜ばんせん = platform number.
- Use で for means of transport: でんしゃでいきます (I go by train).
Ways to get around
- でんしゃdenshatrain
- ちかてつchikatetsusubway
- しんかんせんshinkansenbullet train
- バスbasubus
- タクシーtakushītaxi
- ひこうきhikōkiairplane
- じてんしゃjitenshabicycle
- くるまkurumacar
- あるいてaruiteon foot
- でんしゃでいきますdensha de ikimasuI’ll go by train.
- あるいていきますaruite ikimasuI’ll walk there.
At the station
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| えき | eki | station |
| きっぷ | kippu | ticket |
| かいさつ | kaisatsu | ticket gate |
| 〜ばんせん | -bansen | platform number |
| のりかえ | norikae | transfer |
| 〜ゆき | -yuki | bound for |
| でぐち / いりぐち | deguchi / iriguchi | exit / entrance |
| かくえきていしゃ | kakueki teisha | local train (stops at every station) |
| きゅうこう | kyūkō | express |
| してせき / じゆうせき | shiteiseki / jiyūseki | reserved / non-reserved seat |
Asking questions
- しんじゅくまでいくらですかShinjuku made ikura desu kaHow much is it to Shinjuku?
- このでんしゃはしぶやにとまりますかkono densha wa Shibuya ni tomarimasu kaDoes this train stop at Shibuya?
- どこでのりかえますかdoko de norikaemasu kaWhere do I transfer?
- なんばんせんですかnanbansen desu kaWhich platform?
- つぎのでんしゃはなんじですかtsugi no densha wa nanji desu kaWhat time is the next train?
Understanding announcements
- つぎは、しぶや、しぶやですtsugi wa, Shibuya, Shibuya desuThe next station is Shibuya.
- おでぐちはみぎがわですodeguchi wa migigawa desuThe doors on the right side will open.
- ドアがしまりますdoa ga shimarimasuThe doors are closing.
- ごちゅういくださいgochūi kudasaiPlease be careful.
Taking a taxi
- このじゅうしょまでおねがいしますkono jūsho made onegai shimasuTo this address, please.
- ここでとめてくださいkoko de tomete kudasaiPlease stop here.
- カードでいいですかkādo de ii desu kaCan I pay by card?
Riding the shinkansen
- おおさかまで、おとなにまいくださいŌsaka made, otona nimai kudasaiTwo adult tickets to Osaka, please.
- してせきでおねがいしますshiteiseki de onegai shimasuReserved seats, please.
- まどがわのせきはありますかmadogawa no seki wa arimasu kaIs there a window seat?
- つうろがわtsūrogawaaisle side
- なんごうしゃですかnangōsha desu kaWhich car number?
On the Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Osaka, Mount Fuji appears on the right-hand side when travelling towards Osaka, which is why seat E is a popular request on clear days.
Train manners
- Talking on the phone in trains is avoided; set your phone to silent mode (マナーモード).
- Queue in the marked lines on the platform and let people get off first.
- Priority seats (ゆうせんせき) are for elderly, pregnant and disabled passengers.
- Eating on local trains is uncommon, but bento on the shinkansen is a classic: えきべん, station lunch boxes.
When something goes wrong
- でんしゃがおくれていますdensha ga okurete imasuThe train is delayed.
- のりすごしましたnorisugoshimashitaI missed my stop.
- わすれものをしましたwasuremono o shimashitaI left something behind.
- しゅうでんはなんじですかshūden wa nanji desu kaWhat time is the last train?
All aboard0/3
しんじゅくゆき means:
“I go by bus.”
のりかえ means:
Frequently asked questions
How do you say train in Japanese?
Train is 電車 (densha). Subway is 地下鉄 (chikatetsu) and the bullet train is 新幹線 (shinkansen).
What does yuki mean on Japanese trains?
行き (yuki or iki) means 'bound for'. 新宿行き means the train is going to Shinjuku.
How do you say 'by train' in Japanese?
Use the particle で: 電車で (densha de), as in 電車で行きます, 'I'll go by train'.
How do you buy a shinkansen ticket in Japanese?
Say the destination with まで and the number of tickets: 大阪まで、大人二枚ください, 'two adult tickets to Osaka, please'. Add 指定席で for reserved seats.