How to say "vehicle" in Japanese

• 車くるまJLPT N5approx.Common
  nounCovers 'vehicle' in the sense of a car or automobile — one's own car, a parked vehicle, road traffic. When English 'vehicle' means a car, this is the word you want.
  車くるまを運転うんてんする時ときはいくら注意ちゅういしてもしすぎることはない。↗

  You cannot be too careful when you drive a car.
• 乗り物のりものJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounCovers the broader sense of 'vehicle' as any conveyance or means of transport — trains, buses, boats and the like, not just cars. Use this when the type of vehicle is unspecified or varied.
  乗り物のりものは子供こども向むけである。↗

  Rides in the cars are for kids.

Use 車 when 'vehicle' means a car or automobile — one's own car, a parked vehicle, road traffic — and 「乗り物」 for the broader sense of any conveyance or means of transport, whatever its type.

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

• 車くるまcar
• 乗り物のりものvehicle
• 駕がvehicle
• ビークルvehicle
• 車しゃcar
• 車両しゃりょう(wheeled) vehicle
• ビヒクル(ink) vehicle
• 展色剤てんしょくざい(ink) vehicle