急行（きゅうこう、kyuukoう）
- express (train)

The Japanese word 急行 (きゅうこう, *kyuukou*) primarily means "express train" or "express service." It refers to a transportation service (typically trains, but also sometimes buses) that makes fewer stops than local or regular services, therefore arriving at its destination more quickly. The word can also be used more generally to mean "rapid transit" or "express delivery" depending on the context. 急行 emphasizes speed and efficiency. In English, 急行 translates most closely to "express," "rapid transit," or "limited-stop."

⚫︎急行電車 Translation: Express train ⚫︎急行便 Translation: Express delivery ⚫︎このバスは急行です。 Translation: This bus is an express.

You would use 急行 when referring to a faster mode of transportation or service compared to a slower alternative. It's used in situations where speed is a priority. For example: ⚫︎When purchasing a train ticket, you might choose the 急行 if you want to reach your destination quicker. ⚫︎You might use the word when asking about the fastest route. ⚫︎In a delivery context, it could describe a service offering faster shipping.

急行 is typically written in kanji as 急行, with the pronunciation きゅうこう (*kyuukou*). The hiragana reading (きゅうこう) is also commonly used, especially for beginners. The okurigana is standard and doesn't have variations.

⚫︎ 特急 (とっきゅう, *tokkyuu*): Super express (usually faster than 急行) ⚫︎ 快速 (かいそく, *kaisoku*): Rapid (may be used similarly to 急行, but sometimes makes more stops) ⚫︎ 速達 (そくたつ, *sokutatsu*): Express delivery (for mail) ⚫︎ 急ぎ (いそぎ, *isogi*): haste, urgency (can be used to describe the nature of a rapid service, but not the service itself)

⚫︎ 各駅停車 (かくえきていしゃ, *kakuekiteisha*): Local train (stops at every station) ⚫︎ 普通 (ふつう, *futsuu*): Regular/Local (depending on context) ⚫︎ 鈍行 (どんこう, *donkou*): Slow train (informal term for a slow train that makes many stops)

東京駅から大阪駅まで急行で行くと、時間が節約できます。 ・Translation: You can save time if you go by express train from Tokyo Station to Osaka Station. ・Explanation: This sentence illustrates how 急行 is used in the context of train travel to emphasize the faster travel time compared to using a slower train service.

この手紙は急行便で送ってください。 ・Translation: Please send this letter by express delivery. ・Explanation: This sentence shows the use of 急行 to request a faster delivery service for a letter.

The word 急行 is formed from two kanji: 急 (*kyuu*) meaning "urgent," "rapid," or "sudden," and 行 (*kou*) meaning "going," "traveling," or "to go." The combination of these characters effectively conveys the meaning of "rapid transit" or "express service".