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Glossary entry

日本語 term or phrase:

カーライフ

英語 translation:

automotive lifestyle

Added to glossary by Kurt Hammond
May 31, 2005 03:22
19 yrs ago
日本語 term

カーライフ

日本語 から 英語 技術/工学 自動車/車&トラック
Is there a better way to translate this other than "car life"? I think "car life" is a Japanized word which doesn't really makes sense in English. What does it mean exactly?

Discussion

conejo May 31, 2005:
You guys are probably right... I retract my answer about the lifetime. It was just a guess because there wasn't much context.

Proposed translations

+7
9分
日本語 term (edited): �J�[���C�t
Selected

automotive lifestyle, car lifestyle

Just a guess...

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Note added at 11 mins (2005-05-31 03:33:54 GMT)
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To be clear, in Japanese \"car life\" doesn\'t mean the lifetime of the vehicle. It refers to a lifestyle in which the car plays a role improve the quality of living. A Japanese who hears the word \"car life\" is likely to conjure images of convenient mobility, weekend outings, and improved status.

One of the targets of this phrase is probably to sell the appeal of vehicle ownership to those who currently do not have a car.

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Note added at 1 hr 21 mins (2005-05-31 04:43:33 GMT)
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Think of the American suburban life. That is the type of imagery that is attempted to be conveyed.
Peer comment(s):

agree KathyT : automotive lifestyle sounds good to me. As you mention, the implication of 'leisure' is important, too, I think.
1時間
you are right. probably leisure + convenience + status
agree Kaori Myatt
5時間
agree Naoki (X)
8時間
agree mstkwasa : "automotive lifestyle" methinks.
18時間
agree tappi_k : great explanation!
21時間
agree Minoru Kuwahara : カーライフ literally implies your way of using your car in your life involving both all the necessities and leisures. in that point, i would refer to lifestyle rather than life itself as said in Japanese. -
2日 23時間
agree Ian Laidlaw (X) : I like "automotive lifestyle"
3日 4時間
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks."
11分
日本語 term (edited): �J�[���C�t

car and life

Japanese people think living with car is wonderful.
They enjoy going to resort places in cars and shopping by cars.
However, in actual, the roads are crowded and they can not fully utilize the function of cars (speed etc.) very well.
It is still a status symbol to own a car.
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25分
日本語 term (edited): �J�[���C�t

a life using a car

From what car life is a Japanized word, I think "car life" here doesn't mean the length of time a car will be usable.
I think "a life using a car " suits here but it might be too literal.
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3時間

Life with a Car

(ご参考)コンピューターライフLife with a Computer ヨットライフLife with a Yacht
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4時間
日本語 term (edited): �J�[���C�t

car life

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13時間
日本語 term (edited): �J�[���C�t

Lifestyle set around with the mobility of automobile

As you know America is known as "mobile society". This word has two meanings: One, so called "car life", that people are infatuated with the freedom, independence, and convenience of mobility that automobile bring to them; Second, fluidity and room for climbing up a social ladder (though some thinks tthis is no more true).
Now I believe the meaning of "car life" in your question is One in my explanation. Poeple like the convenience of car so much, they set their lifestyle around car. So much so that they don't take bus, train, bicycle etc., for shopping, to/from work, dentist visits .... any more.
Unfortunately my answer is a bit too long, but I don't think there is one simple expression that is able to emcompass cultural/linguistic differences of English and Japanese in this case.
Peer comment(s):

neutral Minoru Kuwahara : apart from the suggested rendition, humbird-san deepens the topic to connote the important background of the japanese expression, i guess. -
2日 9時間
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