Motorcycle Linguistic Info
Many motorcycle-related words in Japan come from English. They often, however, have somewhat different meanings than the original English. For example BAIKU (バイク) means “motorcycle”. It never means “bicycle”.
NOTE: This page contains Japanese script–if your computer’s OS or browser is not set up to read it, many words will simply look like garbage. To be able to see the Japanese without a properly equipped computer, try running this page through a translator website like Monash University’s Japanese page viewer.
Names for vehicles:
BAIKU (バイク) motorcycle (most commonly-used word)
GENTSUKI (原付き) motorized two-wheeled vehicle (usually < 50cc)
JIDOUSHA (自動車) car
JITENSHA (自転車) bicycle
KURUMA (車) car
KYUUKYUUSHA (救急車) ambulance
MAIKAA (マイカー) personal car (i.e. not taxi, etc.)
MOTOKUROSU (モトクロス) motocross (vehicle, riding, etc.)
NANAHAN (七半) 750cc motorcycle (Kansai dialect)
NEIKIDDO (ネイキッド) motorcycle without fairings (engine exposed)
NIHAN (二半) 250cc motorcycle (Kansai dialect)
NIRINSHA (二輪車、２輪) “two-wheeled vehicle”
OFUROODO (オフロード) offroad (vehicle, riding, etc.)
OOTOBAI (オートバイ) scooter/motorcycle
SUKUUTAA (スクーター) scooter (usually 50cc)
TANSHA (単車) scooter/motorcycle
YONRINSHA (四輪車、４輪車) cage (car)
People:
AITE (相手) “the other driver/rider”
BOUSOUZOKU (暴走族) engine-revving delinquent punks/bike thieves
DORAIBAA (ドライバー) car driver
KEISATSU (警察) the police
OMAWARISAN (お巡りさん) policeman (friendly term)
RAIDA (ライダー) biker; one who rides a motorcycle
SHIROBAI (白バイ) motorcycle cop (lit: white bike)
SHUURIYASAN (修理屋さん) mechanic
TANDEMU (タンデム) motorcycle passenger; riding with a passenger
Proper names:
ARAI (アライ) Arai (helmet manufacturer)
DOKA (ドカ) Ducati
DOKACHI (ドカチ) Ducati
HAARII (ハーリー) Harley Davidson (who?)
HAARIIDABIDDOSON (ハーリーダビッドソン)
HONDA (本田) Honda
KATANA (刀) Katana
KAWASAKI (カワサキ) Kawasaki
SHOUEI (昭栄) Shoei (helmet manufacturer)
SUZUKI (スズキ) Suzuki
YAMAHA (ヤマハ) Yamaha
YOSHIMURA (ヨシムラ) Yoshimura (parts manufacturer)
Accessories and Parts (if not in the list, probably can just Japifiy the English):
GASORIN (ガソリン) gasoline; petrol
REGYURAA (レギュラー) regular octane gas/petrol
HAIOKU (ハイオク) high octane gas/petrol
MANTAN (満タン) full tank
HANDORU (ハンドル) handlebars; steering wheel
HANSHATEEPU (反射テープ) reflective tape
HERUMETTO (ヘルメット) helmet
KOUGU (工具) tools
OIRU KOUKAN (オイル交換) oil change
RAITO (ライト) headlight
RAITO NO KOUJIKU (ライトの光軸) aim of the headlight
SHASHU (車種) make or model (of vehicle)
KUUKI （空気） air
SUPEEDOMEETAA (スピードメーター) or SOKUDOKEI (速度計) speedometer
(Some Japified English examples that translate directly)
BUREEKI (ブレーキ) brakes
CHEEN (チェーン) chain
ENJIN (エンジン) engine
KURACCHI (クラッチ) clutch
OIRU (オイル) oil
ROKKU (ロック) lock
TAIYA (タイヤ) tire
Insurance/Tax/Officialness:
HOKEN (保険) insurance
JIBAISEKIHOKEN (自賠責保険) mandatory vehicle liability insurance
KYOUSEIHOKEN (強制保険) same as JIBAISEKIHOKEN
JYUURYOOZEI (重量税) weight tax
KARIMENKYO (仮免許) temporary license
[UNTEN] MENKYOSHOU (「運転」免許証) [driver’s] license
SHONENDO TOUROKU (初年度登録) “year first registered” (i.e. model year)
NANBAA PUREETO (ナンバープレート) license plate
SHARYOUHOU (車両法) Motor Vehicle Law
DOUROKOUTSUU (道路交通法) Road Traffic Law
HAISHA (廃車) deregistered (out-of-service) vehicle
GAIKOKUJIN TOUROKU SHOUMEISHO (外国人登録証明書) alien registration card
JUUMIN HYOUSHOUMEISHOU (住民票証明書) Japanese citizen’s card
INKAN (印鑑) seal/stamp
HANKO (判子) seal/stamp officially used as a signature
Bad things:
AKAKIPPU (赤切符) (“red ticket”) ticket for particulary grevious offenses
AOKIPPU (青切符) (“blue ticket”) ticket for minor offenses
ATENIGE (当て逃げ) hit-and-run accident causing property damage
DANPU (ダンプ) dump truck
GASUKETSU (ガス欠) running out of gas
HIKINIGE (ひき逃げ) hit-and-run accident causing personal injury
HIKINIGE NI AU 退き逃げに合う to be the victim of a hit-and-run
HIKINI WO SURU 退き逃げをする do to a hit-and-run (not a good thing)
IHAN (違反) violation; offense
JIKO (事故) traffic accident
JINSHIN JIKO (人身事故) traffic accident resulting in personal injury/death.
BUSSON JIKO (物損事故) traffic accident resulting in property damage
KIPPU (切符) ticket (traffic, concert, train, plane, etc)
KOUTSUU JUUTAI （交通渋滞） traffic jam
KOSSETSU (骨折) bone fracture
PANKU (パンク) flat tire; tire leak
SHAKEN (車検) mandatory (and expensive) biyearly vehicle inspection
SUBERU (滑べる) to slip; to slide
KUROBU (転ぶ) to fall down
TAKUSHI (タクシー) taxi
TENTOU (転倒) dropping the bike, falling over
TORAKKU (トラック) truck
SHOUMEN SHOUTOTSU （正面衝突） head-on collision
TSUITOTSU (追突) rear-end collision
Places:
BYOUIN (病院) hospital
BIYOUIN (美容院) beauity parlor (don’t confuse with BYOUIN)
DOURO (道路) street; road
KAABU (カーブ) curve (in the road)
KEISATSUKAN (警察官) police station
KOUBAN (交番) police box
KOUSATEN (交差点) intersection
KOUSOKU DOURO (高速道路) very expensive toll highway
KYUUHAN (急坂) steep grade
MICHI (道) street; road
RIKU’UNKYOKU (陸運局) District Land Transport Bureau (i.e. DMV)
SUTANDO (スタンド) gas station; petrol station
TOUGE (峠) mountain pass
YUURYOU DOURO (有料道路) toll road
Other:
ANZEN (安全) safety; safe
ANZEN UNTEN (安全運転) driving safely
ANZEN DAIICHI (安全第一) safety first
ENJIN BUREEKI (エンジンブレーキ) engine braking (as opposed to using brakes)
KYUU BUREEKI (急ブレーキ) sudden braking; stopping very quickly
MANAA (マナー) manner of driving; following the rules
OINUKU (追い抜く) to pass (i.e. another vehicle)
KIBOU KAKAKU (希望価格) asking price
OOBAAHOORU (オーバーホール) overhaul (i.e. engine)
SOUKOU KYORI (走行距離) or NENPI mileage (i.e. odometer)
NIDAN KAIUSETSU (二段階右折) two-step right turn (see BIKE CLASSES)
Go on to the next page Bike Classes and Vehicle Licensing
Go back to the last page A General Introduction
Go back to the The Table of Contents
