87117
There are multiple series of Japanese trains, such as E233系3000番台, 223系9000番台,
etc. I think both 系 and 番台 can be translated as "series". What is the
difference between 系 and 番台 in this context? Is this naming convention
specific to trains, vehicles, etc.?
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2021-06-18T23:27:04.503
87111
2021-06-19T08:47:51.830
41373
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meaning translation
Difference between 系 and 番台
> I think both 系 and 番台 can be translated as "series"

No. 系 would be Series but 番台 is Type.

The reason behind train's called like that is there's too many "E233 series
type 9000".  
We don't want to see E233 series type 9000-1, 9000-2, 9000-3, 9000-4... right?
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2021-06-19T06:19:43.523
87116
2021-06-19T06:19:43.523
45272
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I am not a
[[撮り鉄]{とりてつ}](https://dic.nicovideo.jp/a/%E6%92%AE%E3%82%8A%E9%89%84) or
something who is a train freak taking a photo of trains, so this is a layman
perspective.

According to
[[鉄道]{てつどう}の[車両番号]{しゃりょうばんごう}](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%89%84%E9%81%93%E3%81%AE%E8%BB%8A%E4%B8%A1%E7%95%AA%E5%8F%B7),
○○[形]{けい} or ○○[型]{けい} which is the model of a train (e.g. [Boeing
737](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_737#737_Original_\(first_generation\)#Genrations_and_varinats)
is the model of a Boeing airplane) with the same performance, same equipments,
or same features, etc.

○○ **[系]{けい}** is used to describe a group of the model.

○○○○[
**[番台]{ばんだい}**](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%95%AA%E5%8F%B0%E5%8C%BA%E5%88%86)
is a serial number which is used to describe a train with the same
performance, same equipments, or some same features. The same model can be
manufactured by a different train company (i.e JR西日本 and JR東海 may manufacture
same model with different serial number for different areas).

That is to say, **[番台]{ばんだい}** is normally attached with **[系]{けい}**.

I am not sure about it is the similar to a car model registration system.
Probably there is the same model of a car which has a different name by a
different company due to branding perspective.

If I were a branding manager of a car company, I want to name a car
["Corolla"](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%88%E3%83%A8%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BB%E3%82%AB%E3%83%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A9)
as much as I could. I think it is a different naming convention from a public
transportation like train vehicles.
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2021-06-19T06:20:11.920
87117
2021-06-19T08:47:51.830
2021-06-19T08:47:51.830
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