自転車(じてんしゃ)

自転車(じてんしゃ) is the standard word for bicycle. Bicycles are extremely common transportation in Japan.

WORD FORMATION:
自(じ) (self) + 転(てん) (rotate) + 車(しゃ) (vehicle) = literally "self-rotating vehicle."

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

• 自転車(じてんしゃ)に乗(の)る: to ride a bicycle
• 自転車(じてんしゃ)を漕(こ)ぐ: to pedal a bicycle
• 自転車(じてんしゃ)で行(い)く: to go by bicycle
• 自転車(じてんしゃ)を停(と)める: to park a bicycle

RELATED VOCABULARY:

• 自転車(じてんしゃ)置(お)き場(ば): bicycle parking area
• 駐輪場(ちゅうりんじょう): bicycle parking lot
• チャリ/チャリンコ: bicycle (casual slang)
• ママチャリ: utility bicycle ("mama's bike")
• 電動(でんどう)自転車(じてんしゃ): electric bicycle

CULTURAL NOTE: In Japan, bicycles must be registered with the police. 自転車(じてんしゃ)通勤(つうきん) (bicycle commuting) is common in urban areas.