Translation guide
How to express the concept of 'driving' in Japanese, covering operating a vehicle, forceful action, and related expressions.
The act of controlling and moving a car, truck, or other motor vehicle.
The most common and general term for driving a vehicle. Can be used as a noun or a suru-verb (運転する).
He is driving a car.
Do you have a driver's license?
Refers to driving for leisure or a pleasure trip, often implying a scenic or recreational drive. Used as a noun or suru-verb (ドライブする).
Let's go for a drive to the beach this weekend.
Means piloting or operating a vehicle, especially aircraft or large machinery. For cars, it sounds technical or formal.
He pilots an airplane.
Causing something or someone to move forcefully, or being driven by a force.
To drive someone to do something, often by an internal force like ambition or curiosity. Transitive verb.
Curiosity drove him to adventure.
To drive someone into a corner or difficult situation. Often used in competitive or stressful contexts.
To propel or drive forward, often used for projects, policies, or physical propulsion. Formal.
New technology drives the industry.
Rain or snow falling heavily and being blown by the wind.
The main factor that causes something to happen or progress.
Negotiating aggressively to get a good deal.
To negotiate aggressively. 強気 means 'aggressive' or 'bold'.
He always drives a hard bargain.
To present harsh conditions, implying tough negotiation.
A place to practice golf shots.
運転 (unten) is the general act of operating a vehicle, while ドライブ (doraibu) implies a leisure drive. Use 運転 for everyday driving and ドライブ for pleasure trips.
I drive a car every day.
I went for a drive on Sunday.
ドライブ (doraibu) is only for recreational driving. If you say 車をドライブする, it sounds like you are taking a car for a joyride, not simply driving it. Use 運転する for the act of driving.
彼は敵を窮地に追い込んだ。
He drove the enemy into a corner.
This engine has a powerful driving force.
They drove a hard bargain.