リニア

りにあ

noun, prefix

linear; maglev (train)

1. maglev (train); linear motor train

Short for リニアモーターカー (linear motor car). Refers to magnetically levitated trains, especially Japan's planned Chuo Shinkansen maglev line connecting Tokyo and Osaka.

リニアは時速(じそく)500キロ以上(いじょう)で走(はし)る。

The maglev train runs at over 500 km/h.

リニア中央(ちゅうおう)新幹線(しんかんせん)の開業(かいぎょう)が待(ま)ち遠(どお)しい。

I can't wait for the Chuo Shinkansen maglev line to open.

リニアが開通(かいつう)すれば、東京(とうきょう)から名古屋(なごや)まで約(やく)40分(ぷん)で行(い)けるようになる。

Once the maglev opens, it will be possible to travel from Tokyo to Nagoya in about 40 minutes.

2. linear

Relating to or arranged in a straight line. Used as a technical prefix meaning 'linear' in compound words.

リニアな関係(かんけい)がある。

There is a linear relationship.

データをリニアに補間(ほかん)する。

To interpolate the data linearly.

リニアな思考(しこう)だけでは解決(かいけつ)できない問題(もんだい)もある。

There are problems that cannot be solved by linear thinking alone.

Usage

In everyday Japanese, リニア most commonly refers to maglev trains, specifically the planned リニア中央(ちゅうおう)新幹線(しんかんせん) (Chuo Shinkansen). In technical contexts, it retains the meaning of "linear."

Chuo shinkansen

Japan's planned maglev line connecting 品川(しながわ) (Tokyo) to 名古屋(なごや) and eventually to 大阪(おおさか). Using superconducting magnetic levitation technology (超電導(ちょうでんどう)リニア), the train would travel at over 500 km/h. The project, led by JR東海(とうかい), has been a major topic in Japanese news.

Common collocations

リニア新幹線(しんかんせん): maglev shinkansen
リニアモーターカー: linear motor car, maglev
リニアに: linearly
リニアな: linear (adjective)

general

Added 2026.2.26 19:40 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

13500/13635_rinia