Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
新幹線 (shinkansen) Japanese meaning: Shinkansen | Kotomora
Report an issue with this page
I will go from Tokyo to Osaka by Shinkansen.
I reserved a Shinkansen ticket.
Usage patterns 新しん 幹かん 線せん に 乗の る to ride the bullet train
I took the bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka.
新しん 幹かん 線せん で 〈 場ば 所しょ 〉 に 行い く to go to 〈place〉 by bullet train
I plan to go to Kyoto by bullet train.
〈 場ば 所しょ 〉 行ゆ きの 新しん 幹かん 線せん the bullet train bound for 〈place〉
The bullet train bound for Hakata has already departed.
新しん 幹かん 線せん を 降お りる to get off the bullet train
I got off the bullet train at Shin-Osaka.
Kanji 幹 tree trunk, main part, talent Don't confuse with 新幹線 is Japan's dedicated high-speed rail network, while 特急 is a limited express that runs on regular tracks at a slower speed.
電車 is the general word for any electric train, whereas 新幹線 refers specifically to the bullet train system.
新幹線 refers to Japan's conventional wheeled bullet-train system, while リニアモーターカー specifically means a train that runs on a linear motor (often maglev) technology.
Etymology 新 (new) + 幹 (trunk line) + 線 (line). Coined when the Tōkaidō Shinkansen opened in 1964, referring to a new trunk railway line.