Translation guide
The most important or leading product, store, or vessel in a group. In Japanese, the term is often expressed with 旗艦 (kikan) for literal naval use or metaphorically for leading products, or with 主力 (shuryoku) for the main force or core product. For stores, 本店 (honten) or 旗艦店 (kikanten) are common.
The most important or advanced product in a company's lineup, often used to showcase technology or brand image.
Directly translates to 'flagship' in both naval and product contexts. Commonly used in phrases like 旗艦モデル (flagship model) or 旗艦機 (flagship device).
This smartphone is our flagship model.
Means 'main force' or 'core product'. Often used for the best-selling or most important product, though it may not always imply the highest-end model.
Literally 'signboard', used metaphorically for a flagship product that represents the brand's image, similar to 'hallmark' or 'showcase'.
The primary or most prominent store in a retail chain, often the largest or located in a prestigious area.
The ship that carries the commanding admiral and leads a naval fleet.
The standard term for a naval flagship. Used in military and historical contexts.
The foremost institution, company, or project within a larger organization or field.
Metaphorically extends the naval meaning to any leading entity, such as a flagship university or program.
旗艦 emphasizes the leading or most advanced status, often with a nuance of prestige. 主力 focuses on being the main force or best-selling item, not necessarily the highest-end. For a top-of-the-line smartphone, 旗艦モデル is better; for a company's core product that drives revenue, 主力商品 is more natural.
In English, 'flagship' is often used loosely for any main or important thing. In Japanese, 旗艦 is mostly limited to products, stores, ships, and formal institutions. For a person or team, use エース (ace) or 中心 (center) instead.
The new tablet is the company's flagship device.
This car is our flagship product.
このレストランの看板メニューはラーメンです。
The flagship dish of this restaurant is ramen.
Directly means 'flagship store'. Widely used in retail and business contexts.
A new flagship store opened in Ginza.
Means 'main store' or 'head store'. It can refer to the original or primary location, but may not carry the same prestige as 'flagship'.
The flagship store is in Shibuya.
Used for the 'head main store', often implying the ultimate flagship or headquarters store, sometimes with a traditional or grand connotation.
This store is the flagship of the nationwide chain.
That battleship was the flagship of the fleet.
This university is regarded as the flagship university of the region.
Means 'core' or 'nucleus', used for the central and most important part of an organization.
This research lab is our flagship facility.
They opened a flagship store in Tokyo.