Meaning

Primary

Passenger

Word Type

noun

Explanation

If you take a ride as a guest (or a customer), that makes you a passenger.

Reading

じょうきゃく
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word that uses the on'yomi readings of the kanji. You hopefully learned the on'yomi for with the word 乗馬, but here's a mnemonic to help you just in case:

You notice a passenger getting on at your stop. Who is it? The distinct smell of barn animals and manure gives it away immediately: it’s Joe (じょう), the farmhand!

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 乗客が乗る

    the passenger gets on board

    乗客がいる

    there is a passenger

    乗客が下車する

    the passenger disembarks

Context Sentences

そのバスにはたくさんの乗客が乗っていました。

There were many passengers on that bus.

タクシードライバーとのおしゃべりを楽しみにしている乗客もいる。

Some passengers look forward to chatting with cab drivers.

ホームには女性の乗客が一人で待っていた。

A female passenger was waiting alone on the platform.

Kanji Composition