車 – Car / Vehicle / Wheel (Sha / Kuruma Kanji)
Learn the meaning, Onyomi and Kunyomi readings, stroke order, common vocabulary, and example sentences for the Japanese Kanji 車.
Kanji 車 Readings – Onyomi & Kunyomi
車 has both an Onyomi (Chinese-derived) reading and Kunyomi (native Japanese) readings, each used in different word contexts.
Used in compound words such as 電車 (densha – train), 自転車 (jitensha – bicycle), and 駐車場 (chuushajou – parking lot).
Used as the standalone noun 車 (kuruma – car, vehicle), the most common everyday word for a car.
車 Stroke Order – How to Write 車
車 is written with 7 strokes. Follow the numbered order below to write it correctly.
💡 Tip: Write the top vertical stroke first, then the horizontal frame lines and the two crossing horizontals through the box, and finish with the long bottom vertical.
Common Words Using 車 (Vocabulary List)
Here are 10 essential words that use the kanji 車, worth memorizing first.
Example Sentences with 車
See 車 used in real, natural Japanese sentences with Kanji, Kana, Romaji and English meaning.
父は新しい車を買いました。
ちちは あたらしい くるまを かいました。
Chichi wa atarashii kuruma o kaimashita.
My father bought a new car.
毎日電車で会社へ行きます。
まいにち でんしゃで かいしゃへ いきます。
Mainichi densha de kaisha e ikimasu.
I go to work by train every day.
駅前に駐車場があります。
えきまえに ちゅうしゃじょうが あります。
Ekimae ni chuushajou ga arimasu.
There is a parking lot in front of the station.
次の駅で下車します。
つぎの えきで げしゃします。
Tsugi no eki de gesha shimasu.
I will get off at the next station.
彼は自転車で学校に来ます。
かれは じてんしゃで がっこうに きます。
Kare wa jitensha de gakkou ni kimasu.
He comes to school by bicycle.
Frequently Asked Questions About 車
What does the Kanji 車 mean?
車 means "car," "vehicle," or "wheel." It is one of the most common JLPT N5 kanji, seen in words like 車 (kuruma, car) and 電車 (densha, train).
What is the Onyomi reading of 車?
The Onyomi (Chinese-derived) reading of 車 is シャ (sha), as in 電車 (densha, train) and 自転車 (jitensha, bicycle).
What is the Kunyomi reading of 車?
The Kunyomi (native Japanese) reading of 車 is くるま (kuruma), meaning "car" or "vehicle."
How many strokes does 車 have?
車 is written with 7 strokes.
Is 車 a JLPT N5 kanji?
Yes, 車 is part of the official JLPT N5 kanji list and is extremely common, appearing in essential words like 電車 (train) and 自転車 (bicycle).
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