The Meaning of kaisūken [回数券] In Japanese

回数券
かいすうけん
Romaji: kaisūken N4

What does 回数券 mean?

Translation and Meaning

multi-ride ticket, ticket book, coupon book

Definition

回数券 means a prepaid booklet of tickets that allows a fixed number of rides or admissions; users buy it upfront and redeem one ticket per use, usually at a discount versus single-ticket purchases.

Type

Noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Transportation context: a prepaid book of tickets for buses, trains, or subways, typically issued by operators.
  • Entertainment or service venues: multi-use tickets for entry or admissions in places like cinemas or amusement parks.
  • Comparison nuance: highlights the multi-use nature, distinct from single-use tickets or long-term passes.

Etymology

回 = count of times, 数 = number, 券 = ticket. The compound expresses a ticket for a set number of uses.

Composition

  • 回: times, occurrences
  • 数: number
  • 券: ticket

Usage

Used in everyday Japanese, especially with public transport and venues that issue ticket books; commonly found in both formal writings and casual speech. Typical phrases include 回数券を買う, 回数券を使う, 回数券で乗車する.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine a small booklet where each page is a counted ride; 回 suggests turning or looping, 数 signals counting, and 券 is the ticket itself—together they cue a counted, multi-use ticket.

Variations

  • 定期券 — teikiken, commuter pass
  • 乗車券 — jōshaken, single-ride ticket
  • 映画券 — eiga-ken, cinema ticket

Example Phrases

  • 駅前の店で回数券を買っておいた。
    Ekimae no mise de kaisuken o katte oita.
    I bought a book of tickets at a shop near the station.
    Lista:
    • 駅前の (ekimae no) – in front of the station
    • 店で (mise de) – at the shop
    • 回数券を (kaisuken o) – the book of tickets
    • 買って (katte) – buying
    • おいた (oita) – left in advance
    「回数券」は固定名詞で『book of tickets』。ここでは を の目的語として機能し、買っておいた形で前もって購入した意味になる。
回数券