運転手

• Reading: うんてんしゅ
• Romaji: untenshu
• Kanji breakdown: 運 (un/hako) — carry, transport; 転 (ten/koro) — roll, turn; 手 (shu/te) — hand, person
• Pronunciation: /ɯ.n.te.n.ɕɯ/

Meaning

Driver; chauffeur. A person who drives a vehicle as their occupation.

A noun formed from 運転 (driving) plus the suffix 手 (person/doer). Specifically refers to professional drivers — taxi, bus, truck, and private chauffeurs. For casual or non-professional drivers, ドライバー is also used. Often heard with the polite さん (運転手さん).

Examples

1. バスの運転手さんに降りる場所を聞いた。 I asked the bus driver where to get off.
2. タクシーの運転手がとても親切だった。 The taxi driver was very friendly.
3. 運転手になるには免許が必要です。 You need a license to become a driver.

Usage Guide

Context: taxis, buses, transportation

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 運転 (driving, operation) and 手 (hand, person). The suffix 手 marks the person who performs the action, similar to English -er in driver.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal