Japanese word

自転車

Pronunciation

Romajijitensha

Meaning

  • nounbike

Example

毎日自転車に乗ります。mai nichi ji ten sha ni no ri ma su

I ride a bike every day.

Illustration for 自転車 (bike)

More examples

自転車で学校へ行きます。ji ten sha de gak kō e i ki ma su

I go to school by bike.

弟は新しい自転車を大切にしています。otōto wa atara shi i ji ten sha o tai setsu ni shi te i ma su

My younger brother takes good care of his new bike.

Core concept

It is a human-powered vehicle that moves when a rider turns its pedals and wheels.

Common phrases

  • 自転車を借りるji ten sha o ka ri ru

    borrow a bike

  • 自転車を返すji ten sha o kae su

    return a bike

Similar words

チャリchari: An informal word for a bicycle used in casual speech.

Definition in Japanese

人がペダルをこいで車輪を回し、地上を走る二輪の乗り物。hito ga pe da ru o ko i de sha rin o mawa shi chi jō o hashi ru ni rin no no ri mono

Word origin

The Japanese compound 自転車 (jitensha) combines 自 (ji, "self"), 転 (ten, "turning"), and 車 (sha, "vehicle") to describe a vehicle that moves by its own wheels.

Usage tips

  • In English, bike can mean either a bicycle or a motorcycle, while 自転車 (jitensha) specifically means a bicycle.

Word lists with this word