三輪車(さんりんしゃ)

さんりんしゃ
noun
tricycle
transportation
1. tricycle
A three-wheeled vehicle, typically a small pedal-powered vehicle for young children, or a three-wheeled motorized vehicle.
子供(こども)が三輪車(さんりんしゃ)に乗(の)っている。
A child is riding a tricycle.
A tricycle is more stable than a bicycle.
When I gave a red tricycle as a birthday present, the child was delighted.

A compound of 三(さん) (three), 輪(りん) (wheel), and 車(しゃ) (vehicle). Follows the same pattern as 自転車(じてんしゃ) (bicycle) and 二輪車(にりんしゃ) (two-wheeled vehicle/motorcycle).

Usage

Most commonly refers to children's pedal tricycles. Can also refer to three-wheeled motorized vehicles, which were common in Japan during the postwar era for deliveries.

Common collocations

  • 三輪車(さんりんしゃ)に乗(の)る — to ride a tricycle
  • 三輪車(さんりんしゃ)をこぐ — to pedal a tricycle
  • 子供用(こどもよう)三輪車(さんりんしゃ) — children's tricycle

Related words