Japanese word

私鉄

Pronunciation

Romajishitetsu

Meaning

  • nounprivate railway

Example

私鉄の路線図を見ます。shi tetsu no ro sen zu o mi ma su

I look at the route map for a private railway.

Illustration for 私鉄 (private railway)

More examples

旅行で私鉄の一日乗車券を利用しました。ryo kō de shi tetsu no ichi nichi jō sha ken o ri yō shi ma shi ta

I used a one-day pass for a private railway on my trip.

Core concept

Describes a railway operated by a private company rather than by the government.

Common phrases

  • 私鉄の路線shi tetsu no ro sen

    private railway route

  • 私鉄を利用するshi tetsu o ri yō su ru

    use a private railway

  • 私鉄の運賃shi tetsu no un chin

    private railway fare

Definition in Japanese

民間の会社が経営する鉄道。min kan no gai sha ga kei ei su ru tetsu dō

Word origin

私鉄 (shitetsu) is a shortened form of 私設鉄道 (shisetsu tetsudō, "privately established railway"), combining 私 (shi, "private") and 鉄道 (tetsudō, "railway").

Usage tips

  • In Japan, some major 私鉄 (shitetsu) companies also develop department stores and housing along their railway lines.

Word lists with this word