Japanese word

自動車

Pronunciation

Romajijidōsha

Meaning

  • nouncar

Example

私は自動車を持っています。watashi wa ji dō sha o mo tte i ma su

I have a car.

Illustration for 自動車 (car)

More examples

私は週末に自動車で買い物へ行きます。watashi wa shū matsu ni ji dō sha de ka i mono e i ki ma su

I go shopping by car on weekends.

Core concept

Refers to a motor vehicle that travels on roads under its own power.

Common phrases

  • 自動車に乗るji dō sha ni no ru

    ride in a car

  • 自動車を運転するji dō sha o un ten su ru

    drive a car

  • 自動車で行くji dō sha de i ku

    go by car

Similar words

車kuruma: An everyday word for a car, often used in casual speech.

Definition in Japanese

エンジンなどの動力を使って道路を走り、人や物を運ぶ乗り物。e n ji n na do no dō ryoku o tsuka tte dō ro o hashi ri hito ya mono o hako bu no ri mono

Word origin

The compound 自動車 (jidōsha) is made from 自 (ji, "self"), 動 (dō, "move"), and 車 (sha, "vehicle"), giving it the literal structure of a vehicle that moves itself.

Usage tips

  • The shorter word 車 (kuruma) is often used in casual conversation for a car, whereas 自動車 (jidōsha) is more typical in formal names and documents.

Word lists with this word