1.
truck bed, loading platform, cargo area
The flat open area at the back of a truck or vehicle used for carrying goods. Also refers to the rear rack of a bicycle.
トラックの荷台に荷物を載せる。
I load goods onto the truck bed.
自転車の荷台にかばんをくくりつけた。
I strapped a bag to the bicycle rack.
荷台に人を乗せて走るのは道路交通法違反だ。
Driving with people riding on the truck bed is a traffic violation.
荷台 refers to the flat area on a vehicle used for carrying cargo. Composed of 荷 (load, cargo) + 台 (platform, stand).
TWO MAIN USES:
- Truck: the open cargo bed at the back (軽トラック, pickup truck, flatbed)
- Bicycle: the rear rack or carrier
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 荷台に載せる: to load onto the cargo area
- 荷台から降ろす: to unload from the cargo area
- トラックの荷台: truck bed
- 自転車の荷台: bicycle rack
NOTE:
Riding on a truck's 荷台 is a violation of the 道路交通法 (Road Traffic Act) in Japan. Bicycle 荷台 are designed for cargo, not passengers, though child seats can be attached.