旅客機

• Reading: りょかくき
• Romaji: ryokakuki
• Kanji breakdown: 旅 (ryo) — travel; 客 (kaku) — guest, passenger; 機 (ki) — machine, aircraft
• Pronunciation: /ɾjo.ka.kɯ.ki/

Meaning

Passenger plane; commercial aircraft designed to carry paying travellers.

A noun for aircraft specifically built to transport passengers, as opposed to cargo planes (貨物機) or military aircraft (軍用機). Commonly encountered in news reports about aviation incidents, new aircraft models, and airline industry discussions. Often modified by size: 大型旅客機 (large passenger aircraft).

Examples

1. 新型の旅客機が来年から運航を開始する予定だ。 A new model passenger aircraft is scheduled to begin service next year.
2. 旅客機の窓から見える夜景がきれいだった。 The night view from the passenger plane window was beautiful.
3. 悪天候のため旅客機が空港に引き返した。 Due to bad weather, the passenger plane turned back to the airport.

Usage Guide

Context: aviation, news, travel, transportation

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 旅 (ryo, travel) + 客 (kaku, guest/passenger) + 機 (ki, machine/aircraft). Literally 'travel-guest machine,' a compound that clearly labels the aircraft's purpose.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal