運輸

うんゆ

transportation

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"運輸" (うんゆ) refers to the act or industry of transporting goods or people from one place to another. It is a formal term often used in business, logistics, and government contexts.

Common Contexts

You will frequently see "運輸" in compound words related to transportation services, such as "運輸業界" (transportation industry) or "貨物運輸" (cargo transportation). It is typically used in written or formal spoken Japanese rather than casual conversation.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 運輸業界: transportation industry, used when discussing the sector or business field.
  • 貨物運輸: cargo transportation, referring specifically to freight.
  • 運輸費: transportation costs, common in economic or business contexts.

Register and Nuance

"運輸" carries a formal and technical nuance. In everyday conversation, people might use simpler words like "運ぶ" (to carry) or "輸送" (transport), but "運輸" is preferred in official documents and professional settings.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "運輸" with "輸送". While both relate to transportation, "輸送" often emphasizes the act of transporting, whereas "運輸" can refer more broadly to the transportation industry or system. Pay attention to context to choose the correct term.

Example Sentences

このかいしゃはこくないがいのかもつうんゆをせんもんにしています。

This company specializes in domestic and international cargo transportation.

うんゆぎょうかいはあたらしいぎじゅつのどうにゅうでこうりつかがすすんでいる。

The transportation industry is becoming more efficient with the introduction of new technologies.

うんゆひがたかくなってしょうひんのかかくにえいきょうをあたえた。

Transportation costs increased and affected the price of goods.