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Vocabulary
乗ります

A2 verb 8 min read

乗ります

norimasu

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 乗ります in 30 Seconds

Explanation 乗ります in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners focus on the most basic physical utility of 'norimasu'. You learn it as a simple verb to describe taking common transport like the 'densha' (train) or 'basu' (bus). The focus is on the 'ni' particle and the present/past polite forms. You learn to say 'I ride the train' or 'I didn't ride the bus.' It is often introduced alongside 'iku' (to go) and 'kuru' (to come) to form basic travel sentences. At this stage, the kanji '乗' might be introduced but the focus is on the sound and basic polite usage in a classroom or travel guidebook context.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'norimasu' in more complex sentence structures. This includes using the 'te-form' (notte) to connect actions, such as 'I board the train and go to the city.' You also learn the potential form 'noremasu' (can ride) and the negative potential 'noremasen' (cannot ride). You start to distinguish between 'riding' as an action and 'going by' as a method. You also encounter 'norimasu' in the context of escalators and elevators, expanding your understanding of what constitutes a 'vehicle' in Japanese logic. You may also learn 'noritaikoto ga aru' (have had the experience of riding).

At the B1 level, you move into the metaphorical and idiomatic uses of the verb. You learn phrases like 'soudan ni noru' (to give advice/listen to a concern) and 'ryuukou ni noru' (to follow a trend). You become comfortable with the plain form 'noru' in casual conversation with friends. You also learn more specific transport verbs like 'norikaeru' (to transfer) and 'norisugosu' (to overshoot your station/miss your stop). Your understanding of the kanji '乗' deepens, seeing it in compounds like 'joukyaku' (passenger) or 'jouba' (horse riding). You can explain your commute in detail using these variations.

At the B2 level, you understand the nuances of 'norimasu' in business and formal contexts. You recognize honorific forms like 'o-nori ni naru' and humble forms like 'o-nori suru'. You can use the verb to describe abstract concepts, such as 'riding on someone's success' or 'taking advantage of an opportunity'. You are also familiar with the causative form 'noraseru' (to let/make someone ride) and the passive form 'norareru' (to be ridden - though less common, it appears in specific literary contexts). You can read newspaper articles about transportation trends or accidents using advanced vocabulary related to boarding.

At the C1 level, your usage of 'norimasu' is indistinguishable from a native speaker. You understand the literary and poetic nuances of the word. You can discuss the etymology of the kanji and its relationship to ancient Chinese characters. You are comfortable with very specific technical terms used in aviation, maritime, and rail industries. You can use 'noru' in complex grammatical structures like '...ni noru ka soru ka' (a gamble/sink or swim situation, though usually expressed differently, the concept of 'riding' the chance is understood). You can interpret subtle social cues where 'noru' is used to imply social harmony or discord.

At the C2 level, you possess a mastery over the most obscure and archaic uses of 'noru'. You can read classical Japanese texts where 'noru' might describe the mounting of a palanquin or a specific type of ancient carriage. You understand the philosophical implications of 'riding' the flow of time or destiny as expressed in high-level literature and philosophy. You can switch effortlessly between the coarsest slang and the most refined keigo involving this verb. You are also able to critique the use of the word in various dialects across Japan, understanding how 'noru' might be replaced or modified in regional speech.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

乗ります in 30 Seconds

Norimasu means to ride or get on a vehicle.
Always use the particle 'ni' with the vehicle name.
It works for trains, buses, cars, bikes, and horses.
It also means to 'join in' on advice or follow trends.

The Japanese verb 乗ります (norimasu) is a foundational piece of vocabulary for any student of the Japanese language. At its most basic level, it translates to 'to ride' or 'to get on' a vehicle. However, its usage extends far beyond the simple act of stepping onto a bus or a train. It represents the transition from being stationary or a pedestrian to being a passenger or an operator of a moving vessel. In the context of Japanese society, where public transportation is the lifeblood of daily movement, this word is used dozens of times a day in both planning and execution of travel.

Core Physical Action: The verb describes the physical movement of placing one's body onto or into a vehicle. Whether it is stepping into a car, climbing onto a bicycle, or boarding an airplane, the action of 'mounting' the transport is captured by norimasu.
The Concept of 'Being On': Unlike English, which distinguishes between 'getting on' (the act) and 'riding' (the state), Japanese often uses the same verb stem to imply the state of being a passenger. When you say you 'ride the train to work,' you are using norimasu to describe your habitual method of transit.

毎朝、七時の電車に乗ります。
(Maiasa, shichiji no densha ni norimasu.)
I ride the seven o'clock train every morning.

In a broader sense, norimasu is used for anything that carries you. This includes elevators (erebētā), escalators (esukarētā), and even horses (uma). If the object is a platform that facilitates movement, you are likely to use this verb. It is an intransitive verb, which is a crucial grammatical point: the vehicle is not the direct object (marked by 'wo'), but rather the destination or target of your movement (marked by 'ni').

Culturally, the word also carries the nuance of 'joining in' or 'taking part.' For example, when you 'ride' on someone's suggestion (soudan ni noru), you are listening to them and engaging with their problem. This metaphorical extension shows that the word is about alignment and movement together with another entity, whether that entity is a physical train or a psychological conversation.

タクシーに乗りますか？
(Takushī ni norimasu ka?)
Will you take a taxi?

Social Contexts: In formal settings, you might hear the humble or honorific versions, but in daily life, 'norimasu' is the standard polite form used with colleagues, strangers, and acquaintances.

Using 乗ります correctly requires an understanding of Japanese particle logic. The most important rule is the use of the particle に (ni). This particle indicates the target of the action. Since you are moving yourself *into* or *onto* the vehicle, the vehicle is the target destination of your boarding action.

The Basic Pattern: [Noun/Vehicle] + に + 乗ります。
Example: バスに乗ります (Basu ni norimasu) - I ride the bus.
Expressing Purpose: You can combine this with the 'te-form' or other verbs to explain why you are riding.
Example: 電車に乗って、会社へ行きます (Densha ni notte, kaisha e ikimasu) - I take the train and go to the office.

飛行機に乗るのは初めてです。
(Hikouki ni noru no wa hajimete desu.)
It is my first time riding an airplane.

When discussing the act of changing from one vehicle to another, you use the compound verb 乗り換えます (norikaemasu). This is a vital word for navigating the complex rail systems of Tokyo or Osaka. It combines 'noru' (ride) with 'kaeru' (change). Even in this compound form, the target vehicle still takes the particle 'ni'.

次の駅で地下鉄に乗り換えてください。
(Tsugi no eki de chikatetsu ni norikaete kudasai.)
Please transfer to the subway at the next station.

Finally, consider the tense and negation. Norimasen (won't ride), Norimashita (rode), and Noritai (want to ride) are all common variations. If you are inviting someone to ride with you, you might use the volitional form Norimashou or the inviting question Norimasen ka?.

In Japan, transportation is ubiquitous, and therefore, 乗ります and its variations are heard everywhere from morning commutes to late-night announcements. If you stand in a train station, you will hear the honorific version used by staff to ensure passenger safety and provide information.

Train Station Announcements: Station staff often say 'Gochuui kudasai' (Please be careful) followed by warnings about boarding. You might hear 'Go-shousha' (boarding) which is the formal noun form of the action.
Taxi Interactions: When a taxi driver pulls up, they might ask where you want to go, or a doorman at a hotel might ask 'O-nori ni narimasu ka?' (Will you be riding/boarding?), using very polite keigo.

白線の内側まで下がってお待ちください。
(Hakusen no uchigawa made sagatte omachi kudasai.)
Please wait behind the white line (to board).

In a more casual setting, friends might use the short form 乗る (noru). If you are deciding whether to take a bus or walk, a friend might say 'Basu ni noru?' (Want to take the bus?). In anime or movies, you often hear characters shouting 'Nore!' (Get on!) during high-stakes chase scenes or when fleeing from danger.

Beyond physical vehicles, you'll hear this in office settings. If someone is asking for advice, they might say 'Soudan ni notte kuremasen ka?' (Could you give me some advice/listen to my problem?). Here, 'noru' implies getting on the same 'wavelength' or 'path' as the speaker to help them navigate a situation.

流行に乗るのが上手ですね。
(Ryuukou ni noru no ga jouzu desu ne.)
You are good at following (riding) the trends.

Learning 乗ります seems simple, but English speakers frequently fall into a few specific traps due to the way 'ride' and 'get on' work in English. Understanding these nuances will make your Japanese sound much more natural.

The 'Wo' vs 'Ni' Error: In English, we say 'I ride the bus' (direct object). In Japanese, you cannot say 'Basu wo norimasu.' It must be 'Basu ni norimasu.' The verb is intransitive, meaning the action doesn't 'do' something to the bus; rather, the subject moves 'into' the space of the bus.
Confusion with 'Iku' (To Go): Students often confuse 'Densha ni norimasu' (I get on the train) with 'Densha de ikimasu' (I go by train). Use 'norimasu' when focusing on the act of boarding or the state of being on the vehicle. Use 'de ikimasu' when focusing on the method of travel to a destination.

❌ 電車を乗ります。
✅ 電車に乗ります。
Always use 'ni' for the vehicle.

Another mistake involves the verb おります (orimasu), which means 'to get off.' While you 'ride' with 'ni', you 'get off' with the particle を (wo) because you are leaving the space of the vehicle. This switch between 'ni' (into) and 'wo' (out of) is a common point of frustration for A2 level learners.

バスを降ります。
(Basu wo orimasu.)
I get off the bus. (Note the particle change!)

While 乗ります is the most common way to say 'ride,' there are several related words and alternatives that you should know to expand your vocabulary and understand different contexts.

乗り換える (Norikaeru): To transfer. Used when you get off one train or bus and get onto another. Essential for navigating cities.
搭乗する (Toujou suru): A more formal/technical term for boarding, specifically used for airplanes and large ships. You will see this on boarding passes (搭乗券 - toujouken).
運転する (Unten suru): To drive. While 'norimasu' can be used for the driver too, 'unten suru' specifically means you are the one operating the vehicle.

自転車に乗るのと、車を運転するのは違います。
(Jitensha ni noru no to, kuruma wo unten suru no wa chigaimasu.)
Riding a bike and driving a car are different.

When comparing norimasu to tsukaimasu (to use), remember that 'tsukaimasu' is more general. You can 'use' a train system, but you 'ride' a specific train. If you want to say you 'take' a taxi, both 'takushii ni norimasu' and 'takushii wo ryou shimasu' (utilize a taxi) work, but 'norimasu' is much more common in daily speech.

船に乗って島へ行きました。
(Fune ni notte shima e ikimashita.)
I went to the island by riding a boat.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji '乗' depicts a person standing on top of a tree, symbolizing the act of mounting or being elevated.

Pronunciation Guide

UK nɒ.ri.mæs

US nɔ.ri.mæs

Flat pitch (Heiban), though 'no' can be slightly higher in some dialects.

Rhymes With

arimasu shimasu ikimasu kakimasu nomimasu yomimasu kimasu mimasu

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'u' at the end of 'masu' too strongly.
Using an English 'r' instead of the Japanese tapped 'r'.
Confusing the pitch accent with 'noru' (dictionary form).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The kanji is common but has several strokes.

Writing 3/5

Writing '乗' requires correct stroke order for the top part.

Speaking 1/5

Very easy to pronounce.

Listening 1/5

Clearly audible in public announcements.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

電車バス行くに (particle) ます (verb ending)

Learn Next

降ります乗り換えます地下鉄飛行機駅

Advanced

搭乗乗客運転免許交通機関遅延

Grammar to Know

Particle に for Target

タクシーに乗ります。

Te-form for connecting

バスに乗って、駅へ行きます。

Potential form

自転車に乗れます。

Volitional form

一緒に乗りましょう。

Desire form

馬に乗りたいです。

Examples by Level

バスに乗ります。

I ride the bus.

Basic [Vehicle] + に + 乗ります pattern.

電車に乗りましたか？

Did you ride the train?

Past tense question form.

タクシーに乗ります。

I will take a taxi.

Future/Habitual polite form.

自転車に乗ります。

I ride a bicycle.

Used for 'mounting' a bike.

地下鉄に乗ります。

I ride the subway.

Chikatetsu means subway.

馬に乗ります。

I ride a horse.

Also used for animals you sit on.

飛行機に乗ります。

I ride an airplane.

Standard for air travel.

船に乗ります。

I ride a boat.

Fune means boat/ship.

電車に乗って、会社へ行きます。

I take the train and go to the office.

Te-form 'notte' used to connect actions.

ここからバスに乗れますか？

Can I ride the bus from here?

Potential form 'noremasu' meaning 'can ride'.

エレベーターに乗ってください。

Please take the elevator.

Polite request form 'te kudasai'.

新幹線に乗ったことがあります。

I have ridden the Shinkansen before.

Experience pattern: [Past Plain] + koto ga aru.

急いでタクシーに乗りました。

I hurried and got into a taxi.

Adverb 'isoide' modifying the action.

大きい船に乗りたいです。

I want to ride a big ship.

Desire form 'tai'.

自転車に乗るのが好きです。

I like riding bicycles.

Nominalizing the verb with 'no'.

バスに乗る時間はありますか？

Is there time to catch the bus?

Using the plain form to modify a noun (time).

友達の相談に乗りました。

I listened to my friend's concerns.

Metaphorical use: 'soudan ni noru'.

次の駅で乗り換える必要があります。

It is necessary to transfer at the next station.

Compound verb 'norikaeru'.

流行に乗るのは難しいです。

It is difficult to follow the trends.

Metaphorical use: 'ryuukou ni noru'.

うっかり電車を乗り過ごしてしまった。

I accidentally overshot my station.

Compound verb 'norisugosu' + 'shimau'.

この波に乗れば、成功するはずだ。

If we ride this wave, we should succeed.

Conditional 'ba' form.

彼は口車に乗せられやすい。

He is easily sweet-talked (taken for a ride).

Idiomatic 'kuchiguruma ni noseru' (causative passive).

もっと大きなプロジェクトに乗り出したい。

I want to embark on a larger project.

Compound 'noridasu' meaning to embark.

予定通りにバスに乗れなかった。

I couldn't get on the bus as planned.

Negative potential form.

社長、お車にお乗りになりますか？

President, will you be getting in the car?

Honorific keigo: 'o-nori ni naru'.

その誘いには乗らないほうがいい。

You shouldn't take that bait/invitation.

Metaphorical 'take the bait'.

時代の波に乗って成長した企業だ。

It's a company that grew by riding the wave of the times.

Abstract usage of 'wave of the era'.

彼は私の提案に乗ってくれた。

He went along with my proposal.

Agreement/Joining in.

乗りかかった船だから、最後までやろう。

Since we've already started (we're on the boat), let's finish it.

Idiom: 'norikakatta fune'.

満員電車に無理やり乗り込んだ。

I forced my way onto a packed train.

Compound 'norikomu' meaning to board forcefully.

彼の口車に乗って損をした。

I was taken in by his smooth talk and lost money.

Idiomatic usage.

このチャンスに乗じない手はない。

There's no way we shouldn't take advantage of this chance.

Verb 'joujiru' (related kanji) meaning take advantage of.

国家の命運を乗せた巨大な計画だ。

It is a massive plan carrying the fate of the nation.

Transitive 'noseru' used for carrying abstract weight.

リズムに乗って華麗に踊る。

To dance brilliantly by riding the rhythm.

Abstract 'riding the rhythm'.

相手のペースに乗せられないよう注意する。

Be careful not to be led into the opponent's pace.

Passive/Causative nuance.

その場の空気に乗って、つい承諾してしまった。

I went along with the mood of the moment and accidentally agreed.

Riding the 'atmosphere' (kuuki).

彼は調子に乗ると手が付けられない。

When he gets carried away (rides his luck), he's unstoppable.

Idiom: 'choushi ni noru'.

新薬の開発に乗り出す決断を下した。

The decision was made to embark on the development of a new drug.

Formal 'noridasu'.

古文書に記された「乗」の字の変遷を辿る。

Tracing the transition of the character 'Jo' (ride) in ancient documents.

Academic focus on kanji.

彼の言葉の端々に、皮肉が乗っている。

Irony is carried in every word he speaks.

Abstract 'carrying' a feeling.

運命の奔流に身を任せ、ただ乗るのみである。

Entrusting oneself to the torrent of destiny, one simply rides it.

Philosophical/Literary usage.

鳳凰の背に乗って天に昇るという伝説。

The legend of ascending to heaven by riding on the back of a phoenix.

Mythological context.

万葉集における「乗り」の表現技法を考察する。

Analyzing the expressive techniques of 'riding' in the Manyoshu.

High-level literary analysis.

政局の荒波を乗り越えてきた老練な政治家。

A veteran politician who has ridden over the rough waves of the political world.

Metaphorical 'norikoeru'.

言霊が風に乗って世界を駆け巡る。

The spirit of words rides the wind and travels across the world.

Spiritual/Poetic usage.

彼は自らの信念に乗っ取って行動している。

He acts in accordance with (riding upon) his own beliefs.

Archaic/Formal 'nottotte' (based on).

その計略に乗ぜられ、城は陥落した。

Taken advantage of by that stratagem, the castle fell.

Historical/Passive usage.

神輿に乗せられた神の威光を感じる。

Feeling the divine majesty of the god carried in the portable shrine.

Cultural/Religious context.

Common Collocations

電車に乗る

バスに乗る

タクシーに乗る

自転車に乗る

船に乗る

馬に乗る

エレベーターに乗る

飛行機に乗る

リズムに乗る

相談に乗る

Common Phrases

乗り換える

— To transfer between trains or buses.

新宿で乗り換えます。

乗り過ごす

— To miss your stop by staying on the vehicle too long.

寝てしまって、駅を乗り過ごした。

乗り遅れる

— To miss the vehicle (arrive too late to board).

電車に乗り遅れてしまった。

乗り物

— A general term for any vehicle or 'thing you ride'.

好きな乗り物は何ですか？

乗り場

— The boarding point (bus stop, taxi stand).

タクシー乗り場はあそこです。

乗り心地

— The comfort of the ride.

この車の乗り心地は最高だ。

乗り回す

— To drive or ride around (often showing off).

新しいバイクを乗り回す。

乗り放題

— All-you-can-ride (pass).

一日乗り放題チケットを買った。

乗り出す

— To lean out of a vehicle or embark on a task.

窓から身を乗り出す。

乗り合わせる

— To happen to ride in the same vehicle as someone.

偶然、彼と乗り合わせた。

Often Confused With

乗ります vs 入ります (hairimasu)

Means 'to enter' a room, but for vehicles, 'norimasu' is preferred.

乗ります vs 行きます (ikimasu)

Means 'to go'. 'Densha de ikimasu' is 'go by train', while 'Densha ni norimasu' is 'get on the train'.

乗ります vs 載ります (norimasu)

Same pronunciation, but means 'to be printed/recorded' (e.g., in a newspaper).

Idioms & Expressions

"調子に乗る"

— To get carried away or show off when things are going well.

調子に乗って失敗した。

Casual

"口車に乗る"

— To be deceived by someone's smooth talking.

詐欺師の口車に乗ってしまった。

Neutral

"泥船に乗ったつもり"

— Feeling like you are on a sinking ship (doomed).

泥船に乗ったような気分だ。

Neutral

"大きな船に乗ったつもり"

— Feeling safe and secure (like being on a large, stable ship).

彼に任せれば、大きな船に乗ったつもりで安心だ。

Neutral

"レールに乗る"

— To follow a set, conventional path in life or career.

エリートのレールに乗る。

Neutral

"波に乗る"

— To ride the wave (of success or a trend).

ビジネスが波に乗ってきた。

Neutral

"話に乗る"

— To take someone up on an offer or join a plan.

その話、僕も乗った！

Casual

"乗りかかった船"

— In for a penny, in for a pound; can't turn back now.

乗りかかった船だし、最後までやろう。

Neutral

"まな板の上の鯉"

— A carp on a cutting board (helpless), often used when 'riding' into a situation.

まな板の上の鯉の気分だ。

Literary

"勝ち馬に乗る"

— To back the winner or join the winning side.

彼はいつも勝ち馬に乗るのが上手い。

Neutral

Easily Confused

乗ります vs 載ります

Homophone

乗ります is for riding/boarding; 載ります is for being published or placed on top of something inanimate.

新聞に名前が載りました。

乗ります vs 降ります

Opposite action

Norimasu is 'on', Orimasu is 'off'.

バスを降ります。

乗ります vs 登ります

Similar sound

Noborimasu means 'to climb' (mountains/stairs).

山に登ります。

乗ります vs 送ります

Similar ending

Okurimasu means 'to send' or 'to see someone off'.

メールを送ります。

乗ります vs 踊ります

Similar sound

Odorimasu means 'to dance'.

ダンスを踊ります。

Sentence Patterns

[Vehicle] に乗ります

バスに乗ります。

[Vehicle] に乗りました

電車に乗りました。

[Vehicle] に乗って [Destination] へ行きます

船に乗って島へ行きます。

[Vehicle] に乗れます

自転車に乗れます。

[Vehicle] に乗り換えます

新宿で乗り換えます。

[Vehicle] を乗り過ごしました

電車を乗り過ごしました。

[Abstract] に乗る

流行に乗る。

お乗りになります (Keigo)

社長、お車にお乗りになりますか？

Word Family

Nouns

乗り物 (norimono - vehicle)

乗り場 (noriba - boarding place)

乗客 (joukyaku - passenger)

乗車 (jousha - boarding)

Verbs

乗る (noru - plain form)

乗せる (noseru - to place on/give a ride)

乗り換える (norikaeru - to transfer)

乗り過ごす (norisugosu - to overshoot)

Adjectives

乗り気 (noriki - enthusiastic/interested)

降りる (oriru - get off)

運転 (unten - driving)

切符 (kippu - ticket)

駅 (eki - station)

旅行 (ryokou - travel)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely frequent in daily life, especially in urban areas.

Common Mistakes

電車を乗ります → 電車に乗ります
The particle 'wo' is for direct objects. Boarding is a movement to a target, so 'ni' is required.
電車に乗るで行きます → 電車で行きます
Don't combine the verb and the particle 'de' this way. Use either the verb or the method particle.
バスに降ります → バスを降ります
You get 'on' with 'ni', but you get 'off' with 'wo'.
タクシーを運転に乗ります → タクシーに乗ります
If you are a passenger, just use 'norimasu'. 'Unten' is only for the driver.
飛行機に乗るをしたい → 飛行機に乗りたい
Use the 'tai' form directly on the verb stem for desire.

Tips

The Ni Rule

Always pair the vehicle with 'ni'. Think of it as 'moving into' the vehicle.

Train Manners

When you 'norimasu' a train in Japan, remember to take off your backpack and hold it in front to save space.

Compound Power

Learn 'norikaeru' (transfer) early; it's the most useful variation for travelers.

Being Helpful

If someone looks troubled, ask 'Soudan ni norimashou ka?' (Shall I listen to your concerns?).

Silent U

The 'u' in 'norimasu' is almost silent. It sounds more like 'norimas'.

Tree Top

The kanji '乗' looks like a person on a tree. Use that to remember it means mounting/riding.

Airplane Boarding

On a plane, you will hear 'toujou' more than 'norimasu'. Look for that on signs.

Short Form

Use 'noru?' to ask a friend if they want to hop in your car or take the bus.

Station Safety

Announcements often say 'o-nori ni naranai de kudasai' (please do not board) when doors are closing.

Don't be Arrogant

'Choushi ni noru' is a common way to tell someone they are getting ahead of themselves.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'No-Ride-Masu'. If you say 'NO' to walking, you 'NORI-MASU' (ride) the bus instead.

Visual Association

Imagine yourself stepping into a high-tech Japanese bullet train (Shinkansen) and saying 'Nori-masu!'

Word Web

Train Bus Bicycle Horse Elevator Taxi Airplane Boat

Challenge

Try to name 5 things you can 'norimasu' in your city right now.

Word Origin

Derived from the Old Japanese verb 'noru'. It originally meant to be on top of something or to mount an object.

Original meaning: To mount, to be atop, to be carried.

Japonic

Cultural Context

Be aware of 'priority seats' (yuusen-seki) when riding trains in Japan.

English speakers often say 'take a train,' but in Japanese, 'ride' is the primary verb.

The song 'Train-Train' by The Blue Hearts Ghibli's 'Catbus' in My Neighbor Totoro The movie 'Densha Otoko'

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Commuting

何時に乗りますか？
急行に乗ります
座れますか？
混んでいます

Tourism

観光バスに乗る
ロープウェイに乗る
船で渡る
チケットを買う

Asking Directions

どのバスに乗ればいいですか？
乗り場はどこですか？
次で乗ります
反対方向です

Socializing

車に乗せてあげる
一緒に乗ろう
自転車で行く？
送っていくよ

Business

タクシーで向かいます
新幹線で移動する
話に乗る
プロジェクトに乗り出す

Conversation Starters

"普段、何に乗って学校へ行きますか？"

"新幹線に乗ったことがありますか？"

"一番好きな乗り物は何ですか？"

"初めて飛行機に乗ったのはいつですか？"

"馬に乗ったことがありますか？"

Journal Prompts

今日は何に乗りましたか？どこへ行きましたか？

将来、乗ってみたい乗り物について書いてください。

日本の電車に乗った時の感想を書いてください。

自転車に乗るのと歩くの、どちらが好きですか？理由も教えてください。

「流行に乗る」ことについて、どう思いますか？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you should always use 'ni'. Using 'wo' is grammatically incorrect for the act of boarding a vehicle.

Norimasu means you are a passenger or just getting on. Unten shimasu specifically means you are the driver.

Yes, 'jitensha ni norimasu' is the standard way to say you ride a bike.

Use 'norikaemasu'. For example, 'Shinjuku de norikaemasu'.

Yes, 'erebeetaa ni norimasu' is perfectly natural.

It means to listen to someone's problems and offer advice.

Yes, it is the polite form. The dictionary form is 'noru'.

You can say 'Densha ni noriokuremashita'.

Yes, 'saafin ni noru' (riding a surfboard/wave) is common.

Jousha suru is much more formal and usually seen in writing or announcements.