How would you say, "電車に乗る" in English? Do you remember what you were taught in junior high school? Of course, the answer is, "ride on a train."
The phrase, "ride on a [something]" is perfectly fine for a wide range of vehicles. See the examples below:
1. ride on a ship
2. ride on a bicycle
3. ride on a bus
4. ride/sail on a ferry
5. ride on a/the subway
6. ride on a tricycle
7. ride on an airplane
8. ride on a horse
9. ride on a mule
10. ride/sail on a yacht*
11. ride on a/the train
* ヨット and yacht are not the same thing. Brits say "sailing boat" and Yanks say "sail boat." Check this link for pictures of some of the world's most beautiful yachts!
So what about cars, taxis, pickup trucks, and small sailing vessels? For these kinds of vehicles, we say as follows:1. ride in a car
2. ride in a taxi
3. ride in a van
4. ride in a pickup truck
5. ride in a semi-trailer truck/tractor-trailer (トレーラー車)
6. ride in a rowboat
7. ride in a canoe
8. ride/sail in a sailboat
"What is the difference?" you ask.
If you can walk onto the vehicle and move around, such as on a bus, train, or ship, then use the preposition "on" with "ride." If you cannot walk into the vehicle, like a car, the cab of a tractor-trailer, sedan, etc., then use the preposition "in" with "ride."
Just be careful that you don't say, "I rode on the car," which evokes an image of you riding on the hood, trunk lid, or on the roof of the car!
Can you think of other types of vehicles that we can add to the lists above? Can you think of any unusual vehicles where we might be able to say "ride on" or "ride in"? Click on the comments link below and tell me what you think!
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携帯リンク http://www.anmiweb.com/mobile/
