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).
彼は車を運転している。
He is driving a car.
運転免許を持っていますか？
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).
週末に海までドライブしよう。
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.
彼は飛行機を操縦する。
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.
好奇心が彼を冒険に駆り立てた。
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.
新技術が産業を推進する。
New technology drives the industry.
Rain or snow falling heavily and being blown by the wind.
Literally 'rain that blows against', describing driving rain. Can be used with 雪 (snow) as well.
吹き付ける雨の中を歩いた。
I walked in the driving rain.
Literally 'sideways beating rain', a vivid expression for driving rain.
横殴りの雨で傘が壊れた。
The driving rain broke my umbrella.
The main factor that causes something to happen or progress.
Driving force or motive power, used for both physical and abstract forces.
彼の情熱が成功の原動力だ。
His passion is the driving force behind his success.
Propulsive force or driving force, often used in technical or business contexts.
Negotiating aggressively to get a good deal.
To negotiate aggressively. 強気 means 'aggressive' or 'bold'.
彼はいつも強気な交渉をする。
He always drives a hard bargain.
To present harsh conditions, implying tough negotiation.
彼らは厳しい条件を突きつけてきた。
They drove a hard bargain.
A place to practice golf shots.
Common term for a golf driving range. Short for 打ちっ放し練習場.
週末に打ちっ放しに行く。
I go to the driving range on weekends.
More formal term for a golf practice facility.
新しいゴルフ練習場ができた。
A new driving range opened.
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.
毎日車を運転する。
I drive a car every day.
日曜日にドライブに行った。
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.
He drove the enemy into a corner.
このエンジンは強力な推進力を持つ。
This engine has a powerful driving force.