Japanese Conversation · Level 53
90 words
Japanese word
鉄道
Pronunciation
Romajitetsudō
Meaning
- nounrailroad
Example
この国の鉄道は古いです。ko no kuni no tetsu dō wa furu i de su
The railroad in this country is old.
More examples
週末は鉄道で隣の町へ行きます。shū matsu wa tetsu dō de tonari no machi e i ki ma su
I go to the neighboring town by railroad on weekends.
Core concept
Describes an organized transport system that moves people or goods along fixed rails.
Common phrases
鉄道で行くtetsu dō de i ku
go by railroad
鉄道を使うtetsu dō o tsuka u
use the railroad
Similar words
電車densha: An electric train that carries passengers on urban or regional routes.
Definition in Japanese
線路を使って列車で人や貨物を運ぶ交通機関やその仕組み。sen ro o tsuka tte res sha de hito ya ka motsu o hako bu kō tsū ki kan ya so no shi ku mi
Word origin
The compound 鉄 (tetsu, "iron") + 道 (dō, "road" or "way") joins "iron" and "way" to name rail transport.
Usage tips
- In everyday Japanese, 電車 (densha) often names the train people ride, while 鉄道 (tetsudō) covers the wider rail system.
Other meanings
- rail transportnoun