Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of a train that stops at every station is commonly expressed with the term 各駅停車 (kakueki teisha) or simply 各停 (kakutei). This is distinct from express or rapid services. The guide covers the standard term, its abbreviation, and related expressions for local train services.
各駅停車
train that stops at every station
Commonly abbreviated to 各停 (かくてい) in casual speech and on maps.
The learner wants to refer to a train service that stops at all stations, as opposed to express or limited express trains.
Standard term for a train that stops at every station. Used in announcements and signage.
各駅停車の電車に乗ってください。
Please take the local train (that stops at every station).
この電車は各駅停車です。
This train is a local (stops at every station).
Abbreviation of 各駅停車, very common in spoken Japanese and on route maps.
Literally 'ordinary train', used especially in JR (Japan Railways) contexts to denote local trains that stop at every station. Often contrasted with 快速 (rapid) or 特急 (limited express).
Colloquial, slightly old-fashioned term for a slow local train. Can carry a nuance of 'slow coach'. Not used in official announcements.
Both mean a train that stops at every station. 各駅停車 is the most direct term and is used across many railway companies. 普通列車 is often used by JR and may imply a train that does not require an express surcharge, even if it skips some stations in rare cases, but typically it stops at all stations. In most everyday situations, they are interchangeable.
When asking for directions or checking train types, 各停 is perfectly natural and widely understood. For example: 「これは各停ですか？」 (Is this a local train?).
The local train stops at every station.
普通列車は各駅に停車します。
The local train stops at every station.
鈍行で行くから時間がかかるよ。
I'm going by the slow local train, so it'll take a while.