noun Uncommon

kei

Kei (noun) means a class of small, lightweight Japanese cars and vans with small engines, built to fit strict size and power limits. Example: “Kei cars are popular in Japan because they get tax breaks and are easy to park.”

noun

A class of small, lightweight Japanese cars and vans with small engines, built to fit strict size and power limits.

"Kei cars are popular in Japan because they get tax breaks and are easy to park."

"He imported a used kei truck for work around the farm."

How to use kei

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA tiny, fuel-efficient category of car made in Japan.

Common pairings

kei car kei truck

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Fill the gap

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_____ cars are popular in Japan because they get tax breaks and are easy to park.

Etymology

From Japanese kei (軽), meaning "light" or "lightweight", shortened from keijidōsha ("light automobile").

Origin: Japanese

Rhymes for kei

sei lei rei Mei Wei Pei Fei Kohei Brunei sensei Taipei Andrei

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Frequently asked questions

What does “kei” mean?

The word “kei” means a class of small, lightweight Japanese cars and vans with small engines, built to fit strict size and power limits. In plain terms, a tiny, fuel-efficient category of car made in Japan.

How do you use “kei” in a sentence?

Here is “kei” used in a sentence: “Kei cars are popular in Japan because they get tax breaks and are easy to park.”

What part of speech is “kei”?

“Kei” is a noun.

Where does the word “kei” come from?

The word “kei” comes from Japanese. From Japanese kei (軽), meaning "light" or "lightweight", shortened from keijidōsha ("light automobile").

Is “kei” a common word?

“Kei” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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Vocabulary lists that include kei:

Words with Japanese origins Words that end with I Words that start with K