輸入車(ゆにゅうしゃ)

Compound of 輸入(ゆにゅう) ('import') and 車(しゃ) ('vehicle'). Read as しゃ, not くるま, in this compound.

Usage

• Refers to passenger cars imported into Japan. In Japanese usage, the term is most often associated with European luxury and sports brands, because domestic (Japanese) cars dominate the local market.
• In news and industry contexts, 輸入車(ゆにゅうしゃ) is contrasted with 国産車(こくさんしゃ) when discussing market share, sales trends, or consumer preferences.
• Near-synonym 外車(がいしゃ) is more colloquial and has the same practical meaning.

Common collocations

• 輸入車(ゆにゅうしゃ)を買(か)う: to buy an imported car
• 輸入車(ゆにゅうしゃ)に乗(の)る: to drive / ride in an imported car
• 輸入車(ゆにゅうしゃ)販売(はんばい): sale of imported cars
• 輸入車(ゆにゅうしゃ)ディーラー: imported car dealer
• 輸入車(ゆにゅうしゃ)市場(しじょう): imported car market

Similar words

• 外車(がいしゃ): foreign car — colloquial near-synonym; slightly more casual and more common in everyday speech.
• 国産車(こくさんしゃ): domestic car — the direct antonym, referring to cars made in Japan.

Related words

• 輸入(ゆにゅう): import (goods from abroad)
• 輸出車(ゆしゅつしゃ): exported car
• 中古車(ちゅうこしゃ): used car
• 新車(しんしゃ): new car