How to say "van" in Japanese

Choosing the right word

貨車かしゃCommon
nounCovers the vehicle sense: a railway freight car, the covered goods van used on trains. Choose it when the 'van' in question is a wagon carrying freight rather than a position of leadership.
貨車かしゃが脱線だっせんしたため中央線ちゅうおうせんは不通ふつうになった。↗
After some freight cars were derailed, services were suspended on the Chuo Line.
急先鋒きゅうせんぽうCommon
nounCovers the figurative sense: the van of a movement, its vanguard or forefront. It describes whoever or whatever leads a campaign or trend, standing at the very front of it.

For the vehicle sense of 'van' — a covered railway freight car — use 貨車; for the figurative sense, the van or vanguard of a movement, use 急先鋒.

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

Japanese equivalents

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