Translation guide
The English word "port" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: a harbor for ships, a computer connection point, a type of fortified wine, and the left side of a ship. Each meaning has its own Japanese expressions.
A town or city with a harbor where ships load or unload, or the harbor itself.
The ship arrived at the port. · a busy port city
The most common and general word for a port or harbor. Used for both the physical harbor and the port town.
船が港に入った。
The ship entered the port.
横浜は大きな港町です。
Yokohama is a big port city.
A more formal or technical term for a port or harbor, often used in official contexts like "port facilities" or "port authority."
港湾施設の整備が進んでいる。
The development of port facilities is progressing.
A loanword from English, used mainly in proper names like "Port of Kobe" or in compound terms. Not commonly used alone in everyday speech.
神戸ポートタワーに行った。
I went to Kobe Port Tower.
A connection point on a computer or device for plugging in cables or peripherals.
USB port · HDMI port
The standard term for a computer port. Used in compounds like USBポート (USB port).
このパソコンにはUSBポートが三つあります。
This computer has three USB ports.
HDMIポートにケーブルを差し込んでください。
Please plug the cable into the HDMI port.
Literally "connection opening," a more descriptive term sometimes used in manuals or casual speech.
A type of sweet, fortified wine originally from Portugal.
a glass of port · vintage port
The standard Japanese term for port wine. Often shortened to just ポート in context.
食後にポートワインを飲んだ。
I drank port wine after dinner.
Shortened form of ポートワイン, commonly used when the context is clear.
ポートを一杯いかがですか。
Would you like a glass of port?
The left-hand side of a ship or aircraft when facing forward.
The cargo is on the port side. · Turn to port.
The nautical/aviation term for the port (left) side. Used in technical or formal contexts.
左舷に別の船が見える。
Another ship is visible on the port side.
Loanword from English "port side," used in some contexts but less common than 左舷.
ポートサイドに着岸してください。
Please dock on the port side.
While ポート can mean a harbor in proper names, using it alone to mean "port" as in a harbor town sounds unnatural. Stick to 港 for that meaning.
× ポートに行きたい。
(Unnatural) I want to go to the port.
○ 港に行きたい。
I want to go to the port.
充電ケーブルを接続口に差す。
Plug the charging cable into the port.