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乗客 — meaning in English: passenger

jōkyaku · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for passenger
品質
hinshitsu
リーグ
rīgu
PC
pīshī
ファイル
fairu
乗客
jōkyaku
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neutral common
Usage
Native speakers commonly use 乗客 (jōkyaku) in situations related to travel, such as at train stations, airports, and bus terminals. For instance, when taking a train in Japan, announcements may refer to passengers as '乗客', and ticket staff might use the term when addressing customers about their journey.
Synonyms & nuances
A close synonym of 乗客 is 利用者 (riyōsha), which translates to 'user' and can refer to someone using a service, not necessarily confined to just transport. You would choose 乗客 specifically when discussing someone traveling in a vehicle, emphasizing the idea of being a passenger rather than just a service user.
Culture
The term 乗客 (jōkyaku) not only refers to passengers, but it also highlights the importance of public transportation in Japan's culture. Given Japan's extensive rail network, the word is a staple in everyday conversation, showcasing the country's efficiency in transport. Interestingly, the character 乗 (jō) means 'to ride' or 'to get on', while 客 (kyaku) means 'guest' or 'visitor', reflecting a cultural respect for those who travel.
FAQ
Q.What is the pronunciation of 乗客?
The pronunciation of 乗客 is 'jōkyaku'. It consists of two kanji characters: 乗 (jō), meaning 'to ride', and 客 (kyaku), meaning 'guest' or 'passenger'.
Q.How is 乗客 used in a sentence?
An example sentence would be: '電車の 乗客は多かった' (Densha no jōkyaku wa ookatta), which means 'There were many passengers on the train'.
Q.Are there any common mistakes when using 乗客?
One common mistake is to confuse 乗客 with the term 旅行者 (rykōsha), which means 'traveler' or 'tourist'. While 乗客 refers specifically to someone on public transport, 旅行者 can refer to anyone traveling, regardless of the mode of transport.
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