各停(かくてい)

Short for 各駅停車(かくえきていしゃ) (stopping at every station); many lines call it 普通(ふつう). Slower, but often the easiest train to get a seat on.

Common collocations

• 各停(かくてい)に乗(の)る: to take a local train
• 各停(かくてい)しか止(と)まらない: only locals stop
• 各停(かくてい)で行(い)く: to go by local train

Types

• 各停(かくてい) / 普通(ふつう): local (all stops)
• 快速(かいそく): rapid
• 急行(きゅうこう): express
• 特急(とっきゅう): limited express (on JR, needs an extra ticket)

Watch out

The exact order and names differ by railway company, and names such as 準急(じゅんきゅう), 新快速(しんかいそく) or 快速急行(かいそくきゅうこう) add further levels. Check the departure board.