駅 — Station, Railway Station

Meaning

The kanji 駅 (eki) means 'station,' most often referring to a railway station. Its meaning has deep historical ties to travel and transportation. The character is composed of two main elements: 馬 (uma), meaning 'horse,' and 尺 (shaku), which originally represented a 'foot' or a 'measure.' Together, these components suggest a place where horses (and by extension, other forms of transportation) would stop, be tended to, or have distances measured. Historically, 駅 denoted a 'post station' or 'relay station' where travelers could rest, swap horses, or get fresh supplies during long journeys. Such stations were vital for ancient communication and transportation networks.

The visual link between the kanji and its meaning is quite clear. The 'horse' radical 馬 directly indicates the primary mode of transport at these early stations. Meanwhile, the 'foot' or 'measure' component 尺 implies a stopping point or the distance between such stops. As transportation evolved, the meaning of 駅 shifted from these ancient post stations to modern railway stations. Even with this change, the core idea of a dedicated stopping point for transit remains at its heart. The kanji 駅 has 14 strokes and is usually taught to 3rd graders in Japanese elementary schools, highlighting its fundamental role in everyday vocabulary.

Readings

On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings

The primary on'yomi reading for 駅 is エキ (eki). This reading comes from Chinese pronunciation and is used in most words containing this kanji. It refers to the modern meaning of 'station' or 'stop,' especially for public transportation.

エキ (eki): Used broadly for all types of stations and related concepts.
駅員えきいん (ekiin) — station attendant
駅前えきまえ (ekimae) — in front of the station
駅長えきちょう (ekichō) — station master

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

The kanji 駅 does not have a common kun'yomi (native Japanese reading). Its meaning is almost always expressed through its on'yomi reading エキ (eki) in compound words. This is typical for kanji that were adopted into Japanese with specific, functional meanings from Chinese systems, where the on'yomi was directly used.

Therefore, you will not typically find words like '駅とまる' or '駅うま' as a direct kun'yomi for this character in modern Japanese. The concept of 'stopping' or 'place' is expressed using other kanji and vocabulary. When learning 駅, focus primarily on its on'yomi and the many compound words it forms.

Common Words & Compounds

Here are several common words and compounds using 駅, categorized by theme for easier learning:

General Station Terms:
駅舎えきしゃ (ekisha) — station building
駅弁えきべん (ekiben) — station lunch box
駅名えきめい (ekimei) — station name
駅構内えきこうない (ekikōnai) — inside the station (premises)
Transportation & Travel:
乗車駅じょうしゃえき (jōshaeki) — boarding station
終着駅しゅうちゃくえき (shūchakueki) — terminal station
新幹線駅しんかんせんえき (shinkansen eki) — Shinkansen station
地下鉄駅ちかてつえき (chikatetsu eki) — subway station
最寄もより駅えき (moyori eki) — nearest station
各駅停車かくえきていしゃ (kakuekiteisha) — local train (stopping at every station)
Related Places & Concepts:
駅ビルえきビル (eki biru) — station building (often a commercial complex)
駅伝えきでん (ekiden) — long-distance relay race (historically from post stations)
無人駅むじんえき (mujin'eki) — unmanned station

Example Sentences

駅えきはあそこにあります。

Eki wa asoko ni arimasu.

The station is over there.

毎日まいにち駅えきまで歩あるきます。

Mainichi eki made arukimasu.

I walk to the station every day.

この駅えきはとても広ひろいです。

Kono eki wa totemo hiroi desu.

This station is very spacious.

駅前えきまえで友達ともだちと会あいました。

Ekimae de tomodachi to aimashita.

I met my friend in front of the station.

次つぎの駅えきで降おります。

Tsugi no eki de orimasu.

I will get off at the next station.

新幹線しんかんせんの駅えきはどこですか。

Shinkansen no eki wa doko desu ka?

Where is the Shinkansen station?

駅員えきいんさんに道みちを聞ききました

Ekiin-san ni michi wo kikimashita.

I asked the station attendant for directions.

この電車でんしゃは各駅停車かくえきていしゃなので、すべての駅えきに止とまります。

Kono densha wa kakuekiteisha nano de, subete no eki ni tomarimasu.

This train is a local train, so it stops at every station.

東京駅とうきょうえきはとても大おおきな駅えきです。

Tōkyō Eki wa totemo ookina eki desu.

Tokyo Station is a very big station.

Related Kanji

Memory Tip

To remember 駅 (eki), visualize a 'horse' (馬) waiting at a 'station' while its rider prepares to 'measure' (尺) the journey ahead. Picture a horse patiently standing at a post, perhaps with a ruler or map laid out, marking a scheduled stop. The kanji's top portion resembles a horse's head and mane, while the bottom element, 尺, can be imagined as a person's foot or a measuring tape. This mental image bridges the historical concept of post stations with today's transportation hubs. Whenever you encounter 駅, let this scene come to mind: a horse at a designated stopping point, ready for the next part of its journey.