Translation guide
A rope used to secure a boat or ship to a dock, pier, or mooring. In Japanese, the most common and general term is 係留索 (けいりゅうさく), but more specific words exist depending on the part of the boat and the type of line.
A rope used to tie up a boat or ship to a dock or mooring.
The standard, formal term for a mooring rope or line. Used in nautical contexts.
係留索をしっかりと結んでください。
Please tie the mooring rope securely.
The ship is secured to the quay with mooring ropes.
A common term for a mooring line, often used in everyday boating. 'もやい' means mooring, and '綱' means rope.
もやい綱を桟橋に投げて。
Throw the mooring line to the pier.
Another term for mooring rope, literally 'ship-securing rope'. Similar to 係留索 but slightly less common.
係船索が切れそうだ。
The mooring rope is about to break.
A literary or traditional term for a mooring rope. '舫い' is an older reading for mooring.
古い港では舫い綱が今も使われている。
In old ports, traditional mooring ropes are still used.
A mooring rope with a specific function based on where it is attached on the boat.
Bow line – a mooring rope from the bow (front) of the boat.
船首索を先に取ってください。
Take the bow line first.
Stern line – a mooring rope from the stern (rear) of the boat.
船尾索が緩んでいる。
The stern line is loose.
Spring line – a mooring rope used to prevent the boat from moving forward or backward. Often borrowed from English.
スプリングラインを張ってください。
Please tighten the spring line.
Breast line – a mooring rope that runs perpendicular to the boat to keep it close to the dock.
ブレストラインが外れている。
The breast line is detached.
A mooring rope made of a specific material or with a particular construction.
General word for rope, often used in boating contexts. Can be combined with descriptors.
このロープは係留用です。
This rope is for mooring.
Synthetic fiber rope, commonly used for mooring due to strength and durability.
合成繊維索は天然繊維より強い。
Synthetic fiber ropes are stronger than natural fiber ones.
Hemp rope, traditionally used for mooring but now less common.
麻索は水に弱い。
Hemp rope is weak against water.
While 綱 means 'rope' or 'line', it is too generic. In nautical contexts, always use a compound like 係留索 or もやい綱 to specify it's a mooring rope.
Common verbs include 結ぶ (むすぶ, to tie), 取る (とる, to take/handle), 張る (はる, to tighten), 緩める (ゆるめる, to loosen), and 投げる (なげる, to throw).