Translation guide
A railway where cars are pulled by a moving cable, often on steep slopes. In Japanese, the most common term is ケーブルカー, but other terms exist for specific types.
ケーブルカー
cable railway (funicular)
Referring to a cable-drawn railway, typically a funicular on a steep slope.
The most common and widely understood term for a cable car or funicular railway. Used for tourist attractions and urban transport.
箱根のケーブルカーに乗りました。
I rode the Hakone cable car.
このケーブルカーは山頂まで行きます。
This cable car goes to the mountaintop.
Technical term for a cable railway, literally 'steel cable railway'. Used in official names and engineering contexts.
この鋼索鉄道は1925年に開業しました。
This cable railway opened in 1925.
Another term for cable railway, similar to 鋼索鉄道 but using the loanword ケーブル. Less common than ケーブルカー.
ケーブル鉄道は急勾配に適しています。
Cable railways are suitable for steep slopes.
Distinguishing between ground-based cable cars and aerial ropeways, which are often confused in English.
Refers to an aerial tramway or gondola lift, not a ground-based funicular. Often mistranslated as 'cable car' in English, but in Japanese it's distinct from ケーブルカー.
Do not use ロープウェイ for a funicular railway; it means an aerial lift.
ロープウェイで山を越えました。
We crossed the mountain by ropeway.
Technical term for a ropeway or cableway, encompassing both aerial tramways and some ground-based cable systems. Rarely used in everyday conversation.
ケーブルカー is a funicular railway on tracks, pulled by a cable. ロープウェイ is an aerial tramway suspended in the air. In English, both can be called 'cable cars', but in Japanese they are distinct.
ケーブルカーは地上を走り、ロープウェイは空中を進みます。
A cable car runs on the ground, while a ropeway travels through the air.
This ropeway is used for freight transport.