Japanese word

オートバイ

Pronunciation

Romajiōtobai

Meaning

  • nounmotorcycle

Example

オートバイを買いました。ō to ba i o ka i ma shi ta

I bought a motorcycle.

Illustration for オートバイ (motorcycle)

More examples

オートバイに乗るときは、ヘルメットをかぶります。ō to ba i ni no ru to ki wa he ru me tto o ka bu ri ma su

I wear a helmet when I ride a motorcycle.

Core concept

Describes a two-wheeled vehicle that moves by engine power rather than by pedaling.

Common phrases

  • オートバイに乗るō to ba i ni no ru

    ride a motorcycle

  • オートバイを駐車するō to ba i o chū sha su ru

    park a motorcycle

Similar words

バイクbaiku: A common informal term for a motorcycle that can also refer to a bicycle.

Definition in Japanese

エンジンの力で走る二輪の乗り物。e n ji n no chikara de hashi ru ni rin no no ri mono

Word origin

The Japanese noun オートバイ (ōtobai) is a shortened form of オートバイシクル (ōtobaishikuru), based on the English words "auto" and "bicycle."

Usage tips

  • In English, motorcycle is the standard term, while motorbike is also common, especially in British English.

Word lists with this word