The Meaning of tabiken [旅券] In Japanese

旅券
たびけん
Romaji: tabiken N4

What does 旅券 mean?

Translation and Meaning

passport, travel document

Definition

旅券 means passport, a government-issued document that certifies your identity and nationality for international travel. It serves as official proof when crossing borders and is required to re-enter your home country.

Type

noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Etymology

旅 tabi travel; 券 ken certificate, ticket; together they designate a travel document, i.e., a certificate used to verify identity for travel.

Composition

  • 旅: travel, journey
  • 券: certificate, ticket
  • Together they form a compound meaning a document certifying identity for travel across borders

Usage

Used in formal, legal, and administrative contexts to refer to the official document required for international travel; commonly found in immigration procedures, border control documents, and official notices. In everyday speech, people often use the loanword パスポート.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine 旅 as a journey and 券 as a ticket; tabiken is the journey ticket you present when crossing borders.

Variations

  • パスポート (pasupōto) — loanword commonly used in everyday language
  • 旅券 (tabiken) — formal term used in official documents

Example Phrases

  • 旅券を カードケースに しまい、 空港へ 向かう 準備 を する。
    ryoken o kaado keesu ni shimai, kuukou e mukau junbi o suru.
    I put the passport into my card case and get ready to head to the airport.
    Lista:
    • 旅券を (ryoken o) – passport (object marker)
    • カードケースに (kaado keesu ni) – into a card case
    • しまい、 (shimai,) – put away,
    • 空港へ (kuukou e) – to the airport
    • 向かう (mukau) – head toward
    • 準備 (junbi) – preparation
    • を (o) – object marker
    • する。 (suru) – to do.
    「旅券」 é o termo formal para passaporte; aqui funciona como objeto direto de しまう (colocar/guardar) com を, indicando que o passaporte é colocado dentro de um estojo.
旅券