タクシーに乗る
Takushii ni noru
Take a taxi
Phrase in 30 Seconds
The standard way to say you are getting into or traveling by a taxi in Japan.
- Means: To get into or ride a taxi.
- Used in: Daily commutes, late-night travel, or when carrying heavy luggage.
- Don't confuse: Use the particle 'ni' (に) for 'noru', not 'wo' (を).
Explanation at your level:
Signification
To travel by hiring a taxi service.
Contexte culturel
Japanese taxis have automatic doors. The driver controls them, so wait for the door to open and close on its own. Tipping is not required or expected. It can even cause confusion if you try to leave extra money. Most taxis in major cities now accept credit cards and IC cards (like Suica), but some rural taxis may still be cash-only. Late-night surcharges (usually 20%) apply between 10 PM and 5 AM.
Hailing a Taxi
Look for the light in the window. Red (空車 - kuusha) means empty and available. Green (賃走 - chinso) means occupied.
Automatic Doors
Seriously, don't touch the doors. It can damage the mechanism and startle the driver.
Signification
To travel by hiring a taxi service.
Hailing a Taxi
Look for the light in the window. Red (空車 - kuusha) means empty and available. Green (賃走 - chinso) means occupied.
Automatic Doors
Seriously, don't touch the doors. It can damage the mechanism and startle the driver.
Address Prep
Have your destination written in Japanese or shown on Google Maps. Many drivers are older and may not speak English.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct particle.
タクシー（ ）{乗|の}ります。
The verb 'noru' always takes the particle 'ni' to indicate the vehicle.
Choose the most natural sentence for 'Let's take a taxi because it's late.'
{遅|おそ}いですから、...
'Takushii ni norimashou' is the standard way to suggest riding a taxi.
Complete the dialogue.
A: {荷物|にもつ}が{重|おも}いですね。 B: そうですね。タクシーに（ ）。
B is making a suggestion based on the heavy luggage.
Match the phrase to the situation: 'Missing the last train'.
{終電|しゅうでん}がありません。
When there is no train, you take a taxi.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is always 'ni noru'. The verb 'noru' requires 'ni' for the vehicle you are boarding.
No, tipping is not a part of Japanese culture. Just pay the amount shown on the meter.
Most taxis in cities accept cards, but look for the stickers on the window to be sure.
Taking a taxi ('takushii ni noru') is the standard way to get home, though it can be expensive.
Standard taxis fit 4 passengers. Larger 'van' taxis are available for groups.
Yes, 'takuru' is a slang verb meaning 'to take a taxi', combining 'takushii' and 'noru'.
Japanese taxis have remote-controlled rear doors for passenger convenience.
It means 'empty car' (空車) and indicates the taxi is available to pick you up.
Yes, apps like 'Go' or 'S.Ride' are very popular for calling ('yobu') a taxi.
Compared to the subway, yes. A short ride might be 500-1000 yen, but long rides can be very costly.
Expressions liées
タクシーを{呼|よ}ぶ
similarTo call a taxi
タクシーを{拾|ひろ}う
similarTo hail a taxi
タクシーを{降|お}りる
contrastTo get out of a taxi
タクシーを{使|つか}う
similarTo use a taxi
Où l'utiliser
Missing the last train
Friend A: {終電|しゅうでん}、{行|い}っちゃったね。
Friend B: うん、タクシーに{乗|の}って{帰|かえ}ろう。
At a hotel front desk
Guest: {駅|えき}までタクシーに{乗|の}りたいんですが。
Staff: かしこまりました。すぐに{呼|よ}びます。
Heavy rain
Colleague A: {雨|あめ}がひどいですね。
Colleague B: そうですね。タクシーに{乗|の}りましょうか。
Business trip
Boss: {時間|じかん}がないから、タクシーに{乗|の}ってください。
Employee: はい、わかりました。
With a lot of shopping
Wife: {荷物|にもつ}が{多|おお}すぎて{歩|ある}けない。
Husband: じゃあ、タクシーに{乗|の}ろう。
Giving directions
Passerby: ここから{遠|とお}いですよ。タクシーに{乗|の}ったほうがいいです。
Tourist: ありがとうございます。
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'NI' as 'IN'. You get 'IN' a taxi. Takushii 'NI' noru.
Visual Association
Imagine a bright yellow or black Japanese taxi with its automatic door swinging open just for you as you step 'NI' (into) it.
Rhyme
Takushii ni noru, don't be a fool, it's the golden rule for getting to school.
Story
You are standing in the rain in Shinjuku. You see a taxi. You step 'NI' (into) the taxi to 'NORU' (ride) away from the wet street. The driver's white gloves guide you in.
Word Web
Défi
Next time you are outside, point at a taxi and say 'Takushii ni norimasu' to yourself three times.
In Other Languages
Take a taxi
English uses 'take' (transitive), Japanese uses 'ride' (intransitive with 'ni').
Tomar un taxi
Spanish uses a direct object (un taxi), Japanese uses an indirect object with 'ni'.
Prendre un taxi
French uses the definite/indefinite article, which Japanese lacks.
Mit dem Taxi fahren
German focuses on 'traveling with' rather than 'boarding'.
استقلال سيارة أجرة
Arabic is more descriptive about the 'rental' nature of the car.
打车
Chinese is highly idiomatic ('hit'), while Japanese is literal ('ride').
택시를 타다
Korean uses the object marker, Japanese uses the location/target marker.
Pegar um táxi
The verb 'pegar' implies 'catching' something in motion or available.
Easily Confused
Learners might use this when they mean they are a passenger.
Use 'noru' if you are the passenger, 'unten suru' only if you are the driver.
Very similar, but 'de iku' focuses on the destination.
Use 'ni noru' for the act of boarding, 'de iku' for the method of travel to a place.
FAQ (10)
It is always 'ni noru'. The verb 'noru' requires 'ni' for the vehicle you are boarding.
No, tipping is not a part of Japanese culture. Just pay the amount shown on the meter.
Most taxis in cities accept cards, but look for the stickers on the window to be sure.
Taking a taxi ('takushii ni noru') is the standard way to get home, though it can be expensive.
Standard taxis fit 4 passengers. Larger 'van' taxis are available for groups.
Yes, 'takuru' is a slang verb meaning 'to take a taxi', combining 'takushii' and 'noru'.
Japanese taxis have remote-controlled rear doors for passenger convenience.
It means 'empty car' (空車) and indicates the taxi is available to pick you up.
Yes, apps like 'Go' or 'S.Ride' are very popular for calling ('yobu') a taxi.
Compared to the subway, yes. A short ride might be 500-1000 yen, but long rides can be very costly.
