Translation guide
A moped is a small motorcycle with pedals or a low-powered engine. In Japanese, the term covers both the vehicle type and the legal category of 'motorized bicycle' (原動機付自転車).
The physical vehicle, often with pedals and a small engine, used for short-distance transport.
Short for 原動機付自転車, this is the most common everyday term for a moped or scooter under 50cc. It refers to the legal vehicle class, not necessarily the pedal-equipped style.
原付で通学しています。
I commute to school by moped.
The formal legal term for a motorized bicycle (moped). Used in official contexts like driver's license exams or vehicle registration.
原動機付自転車の免許を取るには試験が必要です。
You need to pass a test to get a moped license.
Direct loanword from English. Sometimes used to specifically refer to pedal-equipped mopeds, but not widely understood by all Japanese speakers. 原付 is preferred.
ヨーロッパではモペッドが人気です。
Mopeds are popular in Europe.
The legal classification of a vehicle with an engine displacement of 50cc or less, requiring a specific license and subject to certain traffic rules.
In everyday conversation, 原付 refers to the vehicle class. It implies the 50cc restriction, helmet requirement, and 30 km/h speed limit.
原付は法定速度が30キロです。
The legal speed limit for mopeds is 30 km/h.
Specifically refers to the first class of moped (50cc or less). Used to distinguish from 原付二種 (50cc–125cc), which is technically a small motorcycle.
原付一種は二人乗りが禁止されています。
Riding double on a class 1 moped is prohibited.
In English, 'moped' often implies pedals. In Japanese, 原付 (gentsuki) covers all 50cc scooters and mopeds, even if they lack pedals. For larger scooters, use スクーター (scooter) or バイク (motorcycle).