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A vehicle that runs on rails, typically powered by electricity, used for public transportation within urban or suburban areas.
電車は時間通りに来なかった。
The train didn't come on time.
電車の中で本を読む。
I read a book on the train.
In Japan, 電車 specifically refers to trains operated by private railway companies or JR (Japan Railways), as opposed to 地下鉄 (subway) or 新幹線 (bullet train).
In Japan, 電車 refers to trains used for urban and suburban commuting. For intercity travel, 新幹線 (Shinkansen) or 列車 (ressha) are used. 地下鉄 (chikatetsu) specifically refers to subways.
Always use 電車 with the particle に when indicating direction (e.g., 電車に乗る 'to board the train'). Use を when indicating the train as the direct object (e.g., 電車を降りる 'to get off the train').
The word 電車 (densha) is a compound of 電 (den, meaning 'electricity') and 車 (sha, meaning 'vehicle' or 'car'). It reflects the electrification of rail transport in Japan during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
電車 is the most common term for trains in daily conversation in Japan. It is used regardless of whether the train is a local, express, or rapid service. For long-distance travel, 新幹線 (Shinkansen) is used instead.