How to say "locomotive" in Japanese

• 機関車きかんしゃJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounThe common word for a locomotive — the railway engine that pulls a train. When English 'locomotive' or 'engine' refers to this vehicle, this is the word you want.
  機関車きかんしゃは長ながい貨物車かもつしゃの列れつを引っ張ひっぱって走はしっていた。↗

  The locomotive was pulling a long line of freight cars.
• ロコモーティブ
  nounThe borrowed English word for a locomotive. It points to the same railway vehicle but is less common, so 機関車 is normally the better choice in conversation and writing.

For the railway engine that pulls a train, 機関車 is the common word; 「ロコモーティブ」 is the borrowed English term for the same vehicle but is less common, so 機関車 is usually the right choice.

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

• 機関車きかんしゃlocomotive
• ロコモーティブlocomotive