Translation and Meaning of: 車 - kuruma

The Japanese word 車[くるま] is one of those that every Japanese learner encounters early on, and it's not by chance. Present in daily life and Japanese culture, it represents an essential object in modern life: the car. But do you know all the details behind this term? In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, usage, and even curiosities that go beyond the dictionary.

If you have ever wondered how the Japanese view cars in their daily lives or how to memorize this kanji efficiently, you are in the right place. Here at Suki Nihongo, our goal is to go beyond simple translation, diving into the cultural and linguistic context that makes Japanese such a fascinating language.

The meaning and origin of 車[くるま]

The word 車[くるま] literally means "car" or "vehicle" in Japanese. Its kanji, 車, is one of the most iconic and easiest to recognize, thanks to its shape resembling a vehicle viewed from above. Interestingly, this character has its origins in ancient China, where it represented animal-drawn carriages, evolving to encompass modern automobiles.

In the Japanese language, くるま is a broad term that can refer to any type of wheeled vehicle, from bicycles to trucks. However, in everyday use, it is more commonly associated specifically with passenger cars. This semantic flexibility reflects how language adapts to technological changes without losing its historical essence.

Cultural usage and frequency in Japan

In Japan, where public transportation is extremely efficient, cars play a different role than in many Western countries. While in large cities many people opt for trains and subways, in rural areas, the 車[くるま] becomes indispensable. This dynamic causes the word to carry cultural nuances depending on the context in which it is used.

It is worth noting that くるま frequently appears in animes, dramas, and Japanese music, often symbolizing freedom, travel, or even solitude. In Tokyo Revengers, for instance, car chase scenes help build tension, while in more poetic stories, a car may represent the journey of life. These uses show how an everyday object gains layers of meaning in pop culture.

Tips for memorizing and using 車[くるま]

For those learning Japanese, memorizing the kanji 車 can be easier than it seems. An effective technique is to associate its shape with the wheels of a car - the horizontal lines resemble axles, while the central vertical stroke represents the body of the vehicle. This visualization helps to solidify not only the writing but also the meaning behind the character.

When forming sentences, remember that くるま generally functions as a simple noun. Expressions like "車を運転する" (to drive a car) or "車を買いたい" (I want to buy a car) are practical examples of daily use. A common trap for beginners is to confuse 車 with 自動車[じどうしゃ], which is the more formal term for automobile – while the former is colloquial and versatile, the latter appears more in technical or official contexts.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 自動車 (jidōsha) - Automobile, motor vehicle
• カー (kā) - Car, usually used in English
• 車両 (sharyō) - Vehicle, transport equipment, used in a broader context
• 乗用車 (jōyōsha) - Passenger car
• 自家用車 (jikayōsha) - Private vehicle, used for personal use
• 自動車輌 (jidōsharyō) - Motor vehicle used in a railway or transport context
• 車体 (shatai) - Vehicle body structure
• 車種 (shashu) - Car category, type of vehicle
• 車型 (shagata) - Car model, specific design
• 車のモデル (kuruma no moderu) - Car model
• 車のブランド (kuruma no burando) - Car brand
• 車のメーカー (kuruma no mēkā) - Car manufacturer
• 車のタイプ (kuruma no taipu) - Car type (e.g.: sedan, SUV)
• 車の形状 (kuruma no keijō) - Car shape, exterior design
• 車の大きさ (kuruma no ōkisa) - Car size
• 車の色 (kuruma no iro) - Car color
• 車の性能 (kuruma no seino) - Car performance
• 車の価格 (kuruma no kakaku) - Car price
• 車の特徴 (kuruma no tokuchō) - Car characteristics
• 車の機能 (kuruma no kinō) - Functions of the car, equipment present
• 車の装備 (kuruma no sōbi) - Car equipment
• 車の運転 (kuruma no unten) - Car driving
• 車の操作 (kuruma no sōsa) - Car operation, handling

車

Romaji: kuruma
Kana: くるま
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: car; vehicle; wheel

Meaning in English: car;vehicle;wheel

Definition: Vehicle used as a means of transportation.

Example Sentences - (車) kuruma

See below some example sentences:

始発の電車に乗り遅れないようにしなければならない。

Shihatsu no densha ni noriokurenai you ni shinakereba naranai

You have to make sure you miss the first train.

• 始発の電車 - the first train
• に乗り遅れないように - not to miss
• しなければならない - It must be done

彼は車を運転中に猫を轢いてしまった。

Kare wa kuruma o untenchuu ni neko o hikikatte shimatta

He ran over a cat while driving.

He ran over a cat while driving a car.

• 彼 - pronoun that means "he"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "he"
• 車 - noun that means "car"
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case, "car"
• 運転中 - compound noun that means "during driving"
• に - particle indicating the moment when the action took place, in this case, "during the driving"
• 猫 - noun that means "cat"
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case, "cat"
• 轢いてしまった - compound verb that means "ran over/accidentally ran over"

急行列車が駅に到着しました。

Kyūkō ressha ga eki ni tōchaku shimashita

The express train arrived at the station.

• 急行列車 - Express train
• が - subject particle
• 駅 - Season
• に - place particle
• 到着 - Arrival
• しました - verb "arrive" in the polite past

機関車が鉄道を走っています。

Kikansha ga tetsudō o hashitte imasu

A locomotive is running on the railway.

• 機関車 - locomotive
• が - subject particle
• 鉄道 - Railroad
• を - direct object particle
• 走っています - is running

歯車がうまくかみ合わないと機械は動かない。

Haguruma ga umaku kamiawanai to kikai wa ugokanai

If the gears do not fit well

If the gears are not involved well, the machine will not work.

• 歯車 (haguruma) - gear
• が (ga) - subject particle
• うまく (umaku) - skillfully, well
• かみ合わない (kamiawanai) - not fitting in, not adjusting
• と (to) - conditional particle
• 機械 (kikai) - machine
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 動かない (ugokanai) - not moving, not working

渋い色の車が好きです。

Shibui iro no kuruma ga suki desu

I like cars with sober colors.

I like a car with a bitter color.

• 渋い色 - Sober heart
• の - Possessive particle
• 車 - Car
• が - Subject particle
• 好き - Like
• です - Sentence-ending particle

特急は速い列車です。

Tokkyū wa hayai ressha desu

The Tokkyū is a fast train.

Limited Express is a fast train.

• 特急 - Express train
• は - Topic particle
• 速い - fast
• 列車 - train
• です - is

直前に電車が遅れた。

Chokuzen ni densha ga okureta

The train was late at the last minute.

The train was postponed shortly before.

• 直前に - "just before"
• 電車が - "train"
• 遅れた - "was delayed"

私は車の中で吐いてしまった。

Watashi wa kuruma no naka de haiteshimatta

I threw up in the car.

I threw up in the car.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 車 (kuruma) - Japanese noun that means "car"
• の (no) - possessive particle that indicates that the car belongs to someone
• 中 (naka) - Japanese noun meaning "inside"
• で (de) - particle that indicates the place where the action took place
• 吐いてしまった (haite shimatta) - Japanese verb that means "vomited" (in the past and with a connotation of regret)

私の車は動くことができます。

Watashi no kuruma wa ugoku koto ga dekimasu

My car can move.

• 私 (watashi) - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 車 (kuruma) - noun that means "car" in Japanese
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "my car"
• 動く (ugoku) - verb meaning "to move" or "to work" in Japanese
• こと (koto) - Noun that means "thing" or "fact" in Japanese.
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "my car"
• できます (dekimasu) - verb meaning "can" or "is capable of" in Japanese