Translation guide
The English word 'flying' can refer to the act of traveling through the air (by bird, plane, etc.), something that is currently in the air, or a quick, hurried movement. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for these meanings.
Describing the action of moving through the air, as a bird, plane, or person in an aircraft.
The most common verb for 'to fly'. Used for birds, planes, insects, etc. Intransitive.
A bird is flying in the sky.
飛行機が飛ぶ。
The airplane flies.
More formal or technical term for 'to fly', often used for aircraft or space travel.
その飛行機は東京から大阪まで飛行する。
The plane flies from Tokyo to Osaka.
Literally 'fly in the sky', emphasizes the location. Common in descriptions.
彼は空を飛ぶ夢を見た。
He dreamed of flying in the sky.
Referring to the act of traveling as a passenger on an airplane.
The most natural way to say 'go by plane' or 'fly to a place'. Use this instead of a direct translation of 'fly' when you are a passenger.
来週、東京に飛行機で行きます。
I'm flying to Tokyo next week.
Means 'go by air route'. Formal, used in written contexts or travel itineraries.
一行は空路でパリに向かった。
The party flew to Paris.
Describing something that is flying right now, or the state of being airborne.
The te-iru form of 飛ぶ, indicating an ongoing state. 'Is flying'.
見て！鳥が飛んでいる。
Look! A bird is flying.
Means 'in flight', used as a modifier for nouns. Formal.
飛行中の飛行機から連絡があった。
There was contact from the flying aircraft.
Describing something that moves very fast, as if flying. Often used figuratively.
Adverbial phrase meaning 'as if flying', used to describe speed. Common with verbs like 走る (run) or 売れる (sell).
彼は飛ぶように走った。
He ran like the wind.
新製品が飛ぶように売れている。
The new product is selling like hotcakes.
Means 'to sprint' or 'dash'. More literary or dramatic.
彼は疾走して逃げた。
He fled at a flying speed.
Referring to the act of controlling an aircraft as a pilot.
Means 'to pilot' or 'to operate' an aircraft. The standard term for flying a plane as the pilot.
彼は小型機を操縦する。
He flies a small plane.
Literally 'make the plane fly'. Used for piloting, but can also mean 'to fly a plane (as a hobby)' or 'to send a plane into the air'.
週末に飛行機を飛ばすのが趣味です。
My hobby is flying planes on weekends.
The English loanword フライング (furaingu) is used in Japanese almost exclusively in the phrase フライングスタート (flying start) or to mean 'false start' in races. It does not mean 'flying' in the general sense.
彼はフライングをした。
He made a false start.