How to say "axle" in Japanese

• 軸じくJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, noun (suffix)The general word for an axis, shaft, or axle — the rod or line around which something turns. For the axle of a vehicle specifically, the more precise word is 車軸.
• シャフトCommon
  nounA loanword used chiefly for shafts in machinery — a rotating rod that transmits power. Its 'axle' sense is this mechanical one; for a vehicle's axle, 車軸 is the natural word.
  このシャフトはピストンとつながっている。↗

  This shaft links with a piston.
• 車軸しゃじくCommon
  nounThe specific word for an axle: the rod connecting a pair of wheels on a vehicle. When English 'axle' refers to this part of a car or train, this is the word you want.
  車輪しゃりんは車軸しゃじくで回転かいてんする。↗

  Wheels turn on axles.
• 枢軸すうじくCommon
  nounPrimarily 'pivot': the point on which something turns. Its 'axle' sense is marginal — for a physical axle this is seldom the word you want; 車軸 or 軸 is the natural choice.
• 機軸きじくCommon
  nounBesides 'axle' it also means plan or contrivance, and it is really used for such abstract senses rather than for a machine part; for a physical axle, 車軸 or 軸 is the word.

For the axle of a vehicle use 車軸; for a shaft or axis in machinery use 軸 or the loanword 「シャフト」, while 枢軸 means pivot and 機軸 is mainly about plans, so both seldom fit a physical axle.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 軸じくaxis
• シャフトshaft (e.g. machinery)
• 車軸しゃじくaxle
• 枢軸すうじくaxle
• 機軸きじくaxis
• アクスルaxle
• 心棒しんぼうshaft
• ステムstem (bicycle part)