Translation guide
The English word 'cruise' can refer to a leisurely voyage on a ship, traveling at a steady speed, or moving smoothly and effortlessly. This guide covers how to express these ideas naturally in Japanese.
To talk about taking a cruise as a vacation or trip on a large passenger ship.
The most common and direct loanword for a cruise vacation. Used for modern cruise ship travel.
来年、地中海クルーズに行く予定です。
We plan to go on a Mediterranean cruise next year.
クルーズ船で世界一周旅行をしました。
I took a round-the-world trip on a cruise ship.
Literally 'ship journey'. A more general term for traveling by ship, which can include cruises but also other sea voyages. Sounds slightly more traditional or romantic.
豪華客船での船旅は最高でした。
The cruise on the luxury liner was wonderful.
Literally 'cruising/navigation'. Often used in technical or formal contexts, such as a ship patrolling or sailing on a set route. Not typically used for vacation cruises.
その船は太平洋を巡航している。
The ship is cruising the Pacific.
To describe a car, plane, or other vehicle moving smoothly at a constant, comfortable speed.
Used for vehicles maintaining a steady cruising speed, especially in technical or formal descriptions. Often used with 速度 (speed).
飛行機は巡航速度に達した。
The plane reached cruising speed.
車は高速道路を巡航していた。
The car was cruising on the highway.
A more everyday way to say 'drive at a constant speed'. Not a direct translation of 'cruise', but conveys the idea naturally.
高速道路では一定の速度で走るのが安全だ。
It's safe to cruise at a constant speed on the highway.
Slang for cruising around in a car, often with no particular destination. Implies a relaxed, aimless drive.
To describe someone or something moving gracefully, without hurry, as if gliding.
An onomatopoeic phrase meaning to move smoothly and swiftly without obstacles. Often used for people walking briskly or things progressing easily.
彼は人混みの中をスイスイ進んでいった。
He cruised through the crowd smoothly.
Means to advance with ease, without difficulty. Conveys the effortless aspect of 'cruising'.
彼女は楽々とマラソンを走り切った。
She cruised through the marathon effortlessly.
Implies moving leisurely and composedly, with plenty of time. More literary or formal.
白鳥が湖を悠々と進んでいる。
The swan is cruising gracefully across the lake.
To describe easily passing a test, completing a task, or winning without much effort.
Slang for an easy victory or success. Often used when something was much easier than expected.
試験は楽勝だったよ。
I cruised through the exam.
Means to clear or pass something with room to spare. Very common in casual speech.
あのゲーム、余裕でクリアした。
I cruised through that game easily.
Means to go smoothly without any trouble. Can be used for processes or negotiations.
交渉はすんなりいった。
The negotiations cruised along smoothly.
To describe going out with the intention of finding a casual sexual encounter.
Specifically means to hit on or pick up someone, usually in a public place. The closest equivalent to 'cruising' in this sense.
彼は週末になると繁華街でナンパしている。
He cruises the entertainment district on weekends.
A more euphemistic way to say 'looking for encounters'. Can imply cruising without being as direct.
彼は出会いを求めて夜の街を歩いていた。
He was cruising the night streets looking for a hookup.
While 'cruise' in English can mean driving around leisurely, クルーズ in Japanese almost exclusively refers to a ship cruise. For driving, use 流す or ドライブする instead.
週末に海沿いをドライブした。
We cruised along the coast on the weekend.
巡航 (junkou) is a technical term for cruising at a steady speed, used for ships, planes, or cars. クルーズ (kuruuzu) is the loanword for a leisure cruise vacation. Don't mix them up.
クルーズ船に乗るのは初めてです。
It's my first time on a cruise ship.
この船は時速20ノットで巡航します。
This ship cruises at 20 knots.
On weekends I often cruise around with friends in the car.