Page 2: 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 passanger

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
• OIRUKOUKAN (オイル交換) oil change
• RAITO (ライト) headlight
• RAITONOKOUJIKU (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 vechicle 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

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