車体(しゃたい)

車体(しゃたい) refers to the outer body and frame of a vehicle, as distinct from the engine, wheels, or interior. It applies to any vehicle — cars, trains, buses, and trucks.

Forms

車(しゃ) (vehicle) + 体(たい) (body/structure).

Common collocations

• 車体(しゃたい)の色(いろ): body color
• 車体(しゃたい)に傷(きず)が付(つ)く: to get a scratch on the body
• 車体(しゃたい)番号(ばんごう): chassis number, vehicle identification number
• 車体(しゃたい)を磨(みが)く: to polish the car body
• 車体(しゃたい)カバー: car cover

Similar words

車体(しゃたい) is the physical body/frame. 車種(しゃしゅ) refers to the model or type of vehicle. 車両(しゃりょう) means a vehicle as a whole unit, especially for trains.