車(しゃ)

車(しゃ) is a suffix used in compound words related to vehicles.

Compounds

General vehicles

• 自動(じどう)車(しゃ): automobile
• 自転(じてん)車(しゃ): bicycle
• 電(でん)車(しゃ): train (electric)
• 汽(き)車(しゃ): steam train

Train cars

• 貨物(かもつ)車(しゃ): freight car/truck
• 寝台(しんだい)車(しゃ): sleeping car
• 食堂(しょくどう)車(しゃ): dining car

Car conditions

• 新(しん)車(しゃ): new car
• 中古(ちゅうこ)車(しゃ): used car
• 外(がい)車(しゃ): foreign car
• 国産(こくさん)車(しゃ): domestic car

Usage

As a standalone word, 車(くるま) is used to mean "car." The reading 車(しゃ) appears primarily in compound words.