汽車(きしゃ)

きしゃ
noun
steam train
1. steam train, steam locomotive
A train powered by steam. This term is somewhat dated as steam trains are now rare in Japan.
汽車(きしゃ)の音(おと)が聞(き)こえる。
I can hear the sound of the steam train.
汽車(きしゃ)の煙(けむり)が見(み)える。
I can see the smoke from the steam train.
汽車(きしゃ)に乗(の)ったことがありますか。
Have you ever ridden a steam train?
昔(むかし)はみんな汽車(きしゃ)で旅行(りょこう)していた。
In the old days, everyone traveled by steam train.
子供(こども)の時(とき)、祖父(そふ)と一緒(いっしょ)に汽車(きしゃ)に乗(の)ったのを覚(おぼ)えている。
I remember riding the steam train with my grandfather when I was a child.

汽車(きしゃ) refers specifically to steam-powered trains, which are now rare in modern Japan.

CONTRAST WITH OTHER TRAINS:

  • 汽車(きしゃ): steam train (steam-powered)
  • 電車(でんしゃ): electric train (most common today)
  • 列車(れっしゃ): train (general/formal term)
  • 新幹線(しんかんせん): bullet train

COMPOUNDS:

  • 汽車(きしゃ)賃(ちん): train fare (dated)
  • 蒸気(じょうき)機関車(きかんしゃ): steam locomotive (technical term)

REGIONAL NOTE:
In some rural areas, especially among older speakers, 汽車(きしゃ) may still be used colloquially to refer to any train, regardless of power source.

HOMOPHONE:
記者(きしゃ) (journalist) has the same reading.

core
Added 2026.1.8 21:04 · Revised 2026.3.10 16:06
01000/01381_kisha