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電車でんしゃの種類しゅるい

Types of trains

  • 普通列車ふつうれっしゃ

    Local trains

    A green-striped local train beside a small station platform and trees. A green-striped local train beside a small station platform and trees.

    は、ふつう、それぞれの駅えきに止とまります。「」と呼よぶこともあります。近ちかくの町まちや小ちいさな駅えきに行いくときに便利べんりです。乗のる前まえに、をしましょう。

    Local trains usually stop at each station. They are also sometimes called kakueki-teisha, meaning all-stations trains. They are convenient for visiting nearby towns or smaller stations. Check the destination before getting on.

  • 快速かいそく

    Rapid trains

    An orange-striped rapid train passing buildings in a Japanese city. An orange-striped rapid train passing buildings in a Japanese city.

    は、いくつかの駅えきに止とまらない列車れっしゃです。より早はやく着つくことが多おおいです。JRのは、だけで乗のれることが多おおいです。降おりたい駅えきに止とまるか、でしましょう。

    Rapid trains skip some stations. They often arrive sooner than local trains. On JR rapid trains, a basic fare ticket is often all you need. Check the route map to see whether the train stops at the station where you want to get off.

  • 急行きゅうこう

    Express trains

    A red-striped express train traveling through a city. A red-striped express train traveling through a city.

    は、より止とまる駅えきが少すくない列車れっしゃです。会社かいしゃや路線ろせんによって、止とまる駅えきやが違ちがいます。途中とちゅうでにこともあります。わからないときは、駅員えきいんさんに聞ききましょう。

    Express trains stop at fewer stations than local trains. The stops and charges differ depending on the railway company and line. You may sometimes need to change to a local train along the way. If you are unsure, ask a station staff member.

  • 特急とっきゅう

    Limited express trains

    A streamlined blue limited express train passing hills and trees. A streamlined blue limited express train passing hills and trees.

    は、止とまる駅えきが少すくなく、遠とおくへ行いくときに便利べんりです。JRのに乗のるときは、のほかにも必要ひつようです。別べつのがかからないもあるので、乗のる前まえに調しらべましょう。をすると、自分じぶんの席せきが決きまります。

    Limited express trains make fewer stops and are convenient for longer journeys. When riding a JR limited express, you need a limited express ticket as well as a basic fare ticket. Some railway companies also run limited express trains with no extra charge, so check before boarding. Booking a reserved seat gives you an assigned seat.

  • 新幹線しんかんせん

    Shinkansen (bullet trains)

    A white and blue Shinkansen with a long pointed nose, with a mountain behind it. A white and blue Shinkansen with a long pointed nose, with a mountain behind it.

    は、とても速はやく走はしる列車れっしゃです。東京とうきょうや大阪おおさかなど、遠とおくの町まちへ旅行りょこうするときに便利べんりです。乗のるときは、とが必要ひつようです。列車れっしゃによって止とまる駅えきが違ちがうので、名前なまえとをしましょう。

    Shinkansen are very fast trains. They are convenient for traveling to distant cities such as Tokyo and Osaka. You need a basic fare ticket and a limited express ticket to ride. Different services stop at different stations, so check the train's name and destination.

Vocabulary list

Japanese Reading Meaning
普通列車ふつうれっしゃA local train; usually a service that stops at each station along its route.
各駅停車かくえきていしゃAn all-stations service; a train that stops at every station on its route.
行き先いきさきDestination; the place a train or person is going.
確認かくにんChecking; confirmation. 確認する means to check or confirm information.
快速かいそくA rapid train; a service that skips some stations.
乗車券じょうしゃけんA basic fare ticket covering travel between stations. Extra tickets or charges may be needed for some services.
路線図ろせんずA route map showing train lines and stations.
急行きゅうこうAn express train; a service with fewer stops than a local train. Stops and charges depend on the railway.
料金りょうきんA fee or charge; here, the amount charged for a train service.
乗り換えるのりかえるTo transfer; to change from one train or other form of transport to another.
特急とっきゅうA limited express train. JR limited express services require a limited express ticket in addition to the basic fare.
特急券とっきゅうけんA ticket covering the extra charge for a limited express or Shinkansen service.
指定席していせきA reserved seat; a specific seat assigned to a passenger.
予約よやくA reservation; booking a seat or service in advance.
新幹線しんかんせんThe Shinkansen; Japan's high-speed railway system and its bullet trains.

Vocabulary