rickshaw (English)

Where does "rickshaw" come from?

The English noun 'rickshaw' was borrowed from the Japanese word 'rikisha'[1]. In Japanese, this form originated as an abbreviated clipping of 'jinrikisha'[1][2]. The full compound derives from Middle Chinese roots combining 'nyin lik', meaning 'human power', with 't͡ʃʰæ', meaning 'cart'[1]. Through these elements, the name reflects the vehicle's literal role as a carriage propelled entirely by human physical effort.

Full etymology tree

• rickshaw (English), 'A two-wheeled carriage pulled along by a person.'
  • borrowed 力車 (rikisha) (Japanese), 'a rickshaw'
    • clipping 人力車 (jinrikisha) (Japanese), 'a rickshaw'
      • compound 人力 (nyin lik) (Middle Chinese)
      • compound 車 (t͡ʃʰæ) (Middle Chinese)

Descendants and derived words

• auto rickshaw (English)
• autorickshaw (English)
• cycle rickshaw (English)
• electric rickshaw (English)
• e-rickshaw (English)
• quickshaw (English)
• rickshawlike (English)
• rickshawman (English)
• rickshaw noodles (English)
• trishaw (English)
• Rikscha (German)
• risciò (Italian)

Sources

1. rickshaw (English) - Wiktionary
2. 力車 (rikisha) (Japanese) - Wiktionary

Updated September 2026

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Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris