発車

• Reading: はっしゃ
• Romaji: hassha
• Kanji breakdown: 発 (hatsu) — depart, emit; 車 (sha) — vehicle, car
• Pronunciation: /haɕ.ɕa/

Meaning

Departure of a vehicle; to depart. Used specifically for trains, buses, and other vehicles leaving a station or stop.

A noun that functions as a suru verb (発車する). Specifically refers to vehicles departing from stations or stops — very common in station announcements. Not used for airplanes (use 出発 instead). The opposite is 停車 (stopping). Related: 発車ベル (departure bell), 発車時刻 (departure time).

Examples

1. 電車がまもなく発車しますのでご注意ください。 The train will be departing shortly, so please be careful.
2. バスの発車時刻に間に合わなかった。 I didn't make it in time for the bus departure.
3. 次の列車は三番線から発車します。 The next train will depart from platform three.

Usage Guide

Context: transportation, train stations, daily commute

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 発 (hatsu, depart/emit) and 車 (sha, vehicle/car). Together, 'a vehicle setting off' — the moment a train or bus begins to move.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal