列車

• Reading: れっしゃ
• Romaji: ressha
• Kanji breakdown: 列 (retsu) — line, row; 車 (sha) — vehicle, car
• Pronunciation: /ɾe.ɕ.ɕa/

Meaning

Train; railway train. A general term for trains, often used in formal or written contexts.

A noun that refers to trains more formally than 電車 (densha, electric train). While 電車 is the everyday word for commuter trains, 列車 covers all types including diesel and long-distance trains. Often seen in announcements, timetables, and news reports.

Examples

1. 強風のため列車が遅れている。 The train is delayed due to strong winds.
2. 夜行列車に乗って北海道へ行った。 I took an overnight train to Hokkaido.
3. 次の列車は10分後に到着します。 The next train will arrive in 10 minutes.

Usage Guide

Context: transportation, travel, announcements

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 列 (line, row) and 車 (vehicle, car). Literally 'vehicles in a row,' describing the linked carriages that form a train.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji period

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal