Translation guide
The word 'engine' can refer to a machine that produces power, the engine of a vehicle, or metaphorically to a driving force. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is エンジン, but other terms like 機関 or 発動機 are used in specific contexts.
The motor that powers a vehicle, especially internal combustion engines.
The most common and versatile word for 'engine' in everyday contexts, especially for cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles. It is a loanword from English and widely understood.
車のエンジンがかからない。
The car engine won't start.
このバイクはエンジンが強い。
This motorcycle has a powerful engine.
A more formal or technical term for 'engine', often used in compound words like 内燃機関 (internal combustion engine) or 蒸気機関 (steam engine). It can sound stiff in casual conversation.
蒸気機関は産業革命を支えた。
The steam engine supported the Industrial Revolution.
An older or more technical term for 'engine' or 'motor', sometimes used in legal or mechanical contexts. Rare in everyday speech.
この発動機は古いがまだ動く。
This engine is old but still works.
A machine that converts energy into mechanical motion, such as in factories or power plants.
Even for non-vehicle engines, エンジン is commonly used, especially in modern contexts like jet engines or rocket engines.
ジェットエンジンの音がすごい。
The sound of the jet engine is amazing.
Used in technical or historical contexts, such as steam engines or early industrial engines.
A technical term for 'prime mover' or 'engine', used in engineering contexts. Not common in daily conversation.
Something that drives progress, growth, or change, like 'engine of economic growth'.
The most natural translation for 'engine' in a figurative sense, meaning 'driving force' or 'motive power'. Used for economic, social, or personal motivation.
彼の情熱がプロジェクトの原動力だ。
His passion is the engine of the project.
中小企業は経済の原動力です。
Small and medium enterprises are the engine of the economy.
Sometimes used metaphorically, especially in business or tech contexts, but 原動力 is more natural for abstract driving forces.
Means 'propulsive force' or 'driving force', used in both literal and figurative contexts, but less common than 原動力 for 'engine'.
The engine of a train, the locomotive that pulls the cars.
The standard word for a train locomotive. It literally means 'engine vehicle'.
蒸気機関車が駅に入ってきた。
The steam engine (locomotive) came into the station.
Can be used informally to refer to the locomotive, but 機関車 is more precise.
The core software component that drives a computer program or video game.
The standard term in IT and gaming contexts, borrowed directly from English.
このゲームは新しいエンジンで作られている。
This game is made with a new engine.
検索エンジンを最適化する。
Optimize the search engine.
エンジン is the everyday word for most modern engines. 機関 is more formal and often appears in compounds (e.g., 内燃機関). 発動機 is an older technical term rarely used today. For vehicles, stick with エンジン unless you need a historical or technical nuance.
車のエンジンが故障した。
The car engine broke down.
内燃機関の仕組みを学ぶ。
Learn the mechanism of an internal combustion engine.
While 機関 can mean 'engine', using it for a car engine in everyday conversation sounds overly formal or old-fashioned. Use エンジン instead.
エンジンがかからない。
The engine won't start.
This factory uses a large diesel engine.
原動機の効率を改善する必要がある。
We need to improve the efficiency of the engine.
イノベーションが成長のエンジンだ。
Innovation is the engine of growth.
この政策が改革の推進力となる。
This policy will be the engine of reform.
この電車のエンジンは後ろにある。
This train's engine is at the back.