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.
An older or more technical term for 'engine' or 'motor', sometimes used in legal or mechanical contexts. Rare in everyday speech.
A machine that converts energy into mechanical motion, such as in factories or power plants.
Something that drives progress, growth, or change, like 'engine of economic growth'.
The engine of a train, the locomotive that pulls the cars.
The standard word for a train locomotive. It literally means 'engine vehicle'.
The core software component that drives a computer program or video game.
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.
蒸気機関は産業革命を支えた。
The steam engine supported the Industrial Revolution.
This engine is old but still works.
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.
この工場では大型のディーゼル機関を使っている。
This factory uses a large diesel engine.
A technical term for 'prime mover' or 'engine', used in engineering contexts. Not common in daily conversation.
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.
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.
イノベーションが成長のエンジンだ。
Innovation is the engine of growth.
Means 'propulsive force' or 'driving force', used in both literal and figurative contexts, but less common than 原動力 for 'engine'.
この政策が改革の推進力となる。
This policy will be the engine of reform.
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.
この電車のエンジンは後ろにある。
This train's engine is at the back.
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.
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.