人 力 車(じんりきしゃ)

じんりきしゃ

noun

rickshaw

1. rickshaw, pulled cart

A two-wheeled passenger cart pulled by a person on foot. Originally a common mode of transportation in the Meiji era, now found as a tourist attraction in places like Asakusa, Kyoto, and Kamakura.

浅草(あさくさ)で人力車(じんりきしゃ)に乗(の)った。

I rode a rickshaw in Asakusa.

人力車(じんりきしゃ)の車夫(しゃふ)が観光(かんこう)ガイドもしてくれる。

The rickshaw puller also serves as a sightseeing guide.

人力車(じんりきしゃ)は明治時代(めいじじだい)に日本(にほん)で発明(はつめい)されたと言(い)われている。

It is said that the rickshaw was invented in Japan during the Meiji era.

ETYMOLOGY:
Literally "human-powered vehicle" (人力(じんりき) + 車(しゃ)). The English word "rickshaw" is derived from the Japanese 人力車(じんりきしゃ).

CULTURAL NOTE:
Today, 人力車(じんりきしゃ) are primarily a tourist experience in historic districts. The pullers (車夫(しゃふ)) typically provide narrated tours of the area.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

人力車(じんりきしゃ)に乗(の)る: to ride a rickshaw
人力車(じんりきしゃ)を引(ひ)く: to pull a rickshaw
観光(かんこう)人力車(じんりきしゃ): sightseeing rickshaw

general

Added 2026.2.16 23:12

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