Translation guide
The English word 'bus' refers to a large motor vehicle carrying passengers by road, typically along a fixed route. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is バス (basu), a loanword from English. This guide covers how to talk about buses in Japanese, including taking the bus, bus stops, types of buses, and related expressions.
Referring to a bus as a mode of transport, especially city buses or long-distance coaches.
The standard word for 'bus' in Japanese. Used for all types of buses, including city buses, highway buses, and tour buses.
I go to school by bus.
次のバスは何時ですか。
What time is the next bus?
A formal, technical term for 'bus', literally 'shared-ride automobile'. Rarely used in everyday conversation; mostly seen in legal or official contexts.
乗合自動車運送事業
bus transportation business
Expressing the action of riding or catching a bus.
The most common way to say 'take the bus' or 'get on the bus'.
ここでバスに乗ります。
I'll take the bus here.
Literally 'go by bus'. Used when stating your method of travel.
駅までバスで行きます。
I go to the station by bus.
Referring to a place where buses stop to pick up or drop off passengers.
The standard word for 'bus stop'. Used for both city bus stops and highway bus stops.
バス停はどこですか。
Where is the bus stop?
Specifying different kinds of buses, such as city bus, highway bus, or shuttle bus.
City bus or local bus that runs on a fixed route.
路線バスは10分おきに来ます。
The city bus comes every 10 minutes.
Highway bus or express bus, often used for intercity travel.
Shuttle bus, often free, running between specific points like airports and hotels.
Sightseeing bus or tour bus.
Community bus, often a small bus serving local neighborhoods, sometimes free or low-cost.
Common phrases used when using the bus, such as getting off, missing the bus, or asking about fares.
To get off the bus.
次の停留所でバスを降ります。
I'll get off the bus at the next stop.
To miss the bus (fail to catch it).
バスに乗り遅れました。
I missed the bus.
Bus fare.
バス代はいくらですか。
How much is the bus fare?
In Japanese cities, バス often complements the train network. When asking for directions, people may specify バス or 電車. For example, バスで行けますか？ (Can I go by bus?). Note that バス is sometimes used for long-distance coaches as well, so context matters.
Refers to a bus terminal or bus station, usually a larger facility with multiple bays, often for long-distance buses.
新宿バスターミナルから出発します。
We depart from Shinjuku Bus Terminal.
大阪まで高速バスで行きます。
I'll go to Osaka by highway bus.
空港までシャトルバスが出ています。
There is a shuttle bus to the airport.
We'll tour the city by sightseeing bus.
この町にはコミュニティバスがあります。
This town has a community bus.