Translation guide
The English word 'launch' has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses: starting a new product, project, or service; sending a rocket or spacecraft into the air; putting a boat into water; and initiating an attack or campaign. Each meaning has different natural Japanese expressions.
To introduce something new to the public or begin a new initiative.
General term for starting something. Suitable for projects, campaigns, or services.
We will launch a new project.
Commonly used for launching a business, website, or system. Implies setting up and getting it running.
We plan to launch a new company.
Specifically for launching a product onto the market.
We will launch a new product next month.
Loanword from English, often used for software, apps, music, or movies.
They launched a new app.
Formal term for starting up a system or organization. Often used in business or technical contexts.
The new system has been launched.
To propel a rocket, missile, or spacecraft upward.
To move a vessel from land into water, especially for the first time.
To start a military attack, investigation, or aggressive action.
開始する is a general 'start' and can be used for many things. 立ち上げる is specifically for setting up and launching something like a business or website. 発売する is only for releasing a product for sale.
打ち上げる means 'launch' only in the sense of sending something into the sky (rockets, fireworks). Using it for a product launch would be unnatural.
We launched the boat on the lake.
敵が攻撃を仕掛けてきた。
The enemy launched an attack.
大軍を繰り出した。
They launched a large army.