Translation guide
A harbour is a sheltered area of water where ships can dock. In Japanese, the most common word is 港 (みなと), but there are other terms for specific types of harbours, ports, and related concepts.
The most common way to refer to a harbour or port in everyday conversation.
The standard word for harbour or port. Used for both natural and man-made harbours.
Many large ships are docked at this harbour.
I like walking around port towns.
A more formal or technical term for harbour or port, often used in official contexts like 'harbour facilities' or 'port authority'.
The harbour facilities in this area are very well maintained.
Loanword from English, used in proper names like 'Yokohama Harbour' or in compound words like 'harbour view'. Not used as a standalone word for harbour in daily speech.
Yokohama Harbour has a beautiful night view.
Specifically a harbour used by fishing boats.
A fishing port or harbour. Used when the primary function is fishing.
An auction is held every morning at this fishing port.
A harbour used for trade and cargo.
A commercial port. Used for harbours that handle cargo and trade.
Kobe has flourished as a commercial port since ancient times.
A naturally sheltered harbour, often a bay or inlet.
Literally 'natural good harbour'. Used to describe a naturally well-sheltered harbour.
This bay is known as a natural harbour.
The entrance to a harbour.
The entrance or mouth of a harbour. More technical or literary.
The ship passed through the harbour entrance.
To keep a feeling or thought in one's mind, often secretly.
Literally 'to hold in one's heart'. Used for harbouring feelings like resentment, hope, or dreams.
He had harboured a desire for revenge for many years.
She secretly harbours hope.
A verb meaning 'to harbour' or 'to hold' (feelings, thoughts). Often used with words like 疑い (doubt), 不満 (discontent), 夢 (dream).
A general verb meaning 'to have' or 'to hold'. Can be used for harbouring feelings in a less literary way than 抱く.
To provide a safe place for someone, often a criminal or fugitive.
港 (みなと) is the everyday word for harbour or port. 港湾 (こうわん) is more formal and often used in compound words like 港湾労働者 (harbour worker) or 港湾都市 (port city). Use 港 in most situations.
Let's meet at the harbour.
port management office
ハーバー is a loanword used mainly in proper names or specific phrases like ハーバービュー (harbour view). It is not a natural replacement for 港 in conversation.
Let's go to the harbour. (unnatural)
彼は上司に対して不満を抱いている。
He harbours discontent towards his boss.
He seems to harbour ill will towards me.
逃亡者を匿うことは犯罪です。
Harbouring a fugitive is a crime.
Let's go to the harbour. (natural)