Meaning

Primary

Bullet Train

Alternative

Shinkansen

Word Type

noun

Explanation

This is one of those words that makes more sense when you look at the reading first. Technically this is the "New Tree Trunk Line" but you wouldn't realize this is the Japanese bullet train aka Shinkansen from that, would you? Maybe going to the reading will help you after all.

Reading

しんかんせん
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you'll know how to read this as well. Read this to be able to remember the meaning, too, which is Shinkansen.

Context

Context Sentences

明日は新幹線で岡山に行きます。

I'm going to take a bullet train to Okayama tomorrow.

新幹線で、となりの席の人に白々しいお世辞を言われました。

On the Shinkansen I was given these hollow compliments by the person setting next to me.

走りすぎる新幹線の鈍い轟を除いては物音一つ聞こえなかった。

I could hear nothing, save for the rolling thunder of a Shinkansen passing by.

Kanji Composition