How to Say ‘Transit IC card’ in Japanese
交通系ICカード
koutsuu kei IC kaado
[KOH-tsoo KAY eye-see kah-doh]
🇯🇵 In Japan: Suica, PASMO, ICOCA and similar rechargeable cards all fall under this label. Many taxis accept them, so they're a handy backup when you're short on cash.
Phrase Breakdown
交通系
koutsuu kei
transit-type
Pronounced 'kōtsūkei'. Hold the long 'ō' and 'ū'. 系 (kei) means 'type' or 'related'.
交通系の仕事です。
It's a transport-related job.
Words in this phrase
交通
koutsuu
[KOH-tsoo]
transportation
Traffic or transport; used in commuting terms.
交通が便利です。
Transportation is convenient.
系
kei
[KAY]
type; system
Suffix meaning a category or group of something.
理系の学生です。
I am a science student.
ICカード
IC kaado
IC card
Pronounced 'ai shī kādo', with a long 'ā' in kādo. This is a chip card used for payment.
ICカードで払います。
I'll pay with an IC card.
Words in this phrase
IC
IC
[eye-see]
IC
Refers to the 'IC' in IC card, like rechargeable transit smart cards such as Suica or PASMO.
ICカードは便利です。
IC cards are convenient.
カード
kaado
[kah-doh]
card (credit/debit/IC card)
Loanword; used for credit/debit cards and sometimes point cards (context tells).
カードで支払います。
I’ll pay by card.
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