車両 — meaning in English: vehicle

sharyō · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for vehicle

インストール

insutōru

ルート

rūto

村

mura

ドライブ

doraibu

車両

sharyō

Skip this question

🎓

Learn Japanese for free

Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.

Start learning →

Already have an account? Log in

formal common

Usage

Native speakers use 車両 (sharyō) primarily in formal settings, such as transportation discussions, news reports, and official documentation related to vehicles. For instance, when referring to train cars in railway announcements or discussing various types of vehicles during a city planning meeting, this term is appropriate.

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym is 自動車 (jidōsha), which specifically refers to 'automobiles' or 'cars.' While 車両 (sharyō) encompasses all types of vehicles, including trains and buses, 自動車 (jidōsha) is limited to motor vehicles. Therefore, you would choose 車両 when discussing general transportation or multiple vehicle types.

Culture

The term 車両 (sharyō) is derived from the kanji 車 (sha), meaning 'car' or 'wheel,' and 両 (ryō), which denotes a pair or 'two.' This word reflects Japan's advanced transportation infrastructure, particularly its iconic Shinkansen (bullet trains), which are considered a marvel of modern engineering and efficiency.

FAQ

Q.What does 車両 mean in English?

車両 (sharyō) translates to 'vehicle' in English, encompassing various forms of transportation such as cars, buses, and trains.

Q.How do you use 車両 in a sentence?

You can use 車両 in a sentence like: この車両は新しいです (Kono sharyō wa atarashii desu), which means 'This vehicle is new.'

Q.Are there any common mistakes when using 車両?

A common mistake is to use 車両 when talking about personal cars exclusively; remember it refers to all types of vehicles, not just cars.

Learn japanese with Maspeak →

Japanese 2000