Translation guide
A quay is a structure built along the edge of a body of water where ships can dock to load and unload. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 埠頭 (ふとう), but other terms like 波止場 (はとば) and 岸壁 (がんぺき) are used depending on context.
A general term for a quay, wharf, or pier where ships dock.
The most common and general term for a quay or wharf in modern Japanese. Used in both spoken and written contexts.
船が埠頭に接岸した。
The ship docked at the quay.
埠頭にはたくさんのコンテナが積まれていた。
Many containers were stacked on the quay.
A slightly more literary or traditional term for a quay or wharf. Often evokes a nostalgic or scenic image.
波止場で釣りを楽しむ人々。
People enjoying fishing on the quay.
Refers specifically to a quay wall or the vertical face of a quay. Often used in technical or engineering contexts.
岸壁の補修工事が行われている。
Repair work is being carried out on the quay wall.
A quay specifically for passenger ships or ferries.
A passenger quay or terminal. Used for ferry terminals and cruise ship docks.
フェリーは旅客埠頭から出航します。
The ferry departs from the passenger quay.
Specifically a ferry quay or terminal.
フェリー埠頭まで歩いて10分です。
It's a 10-minute walk to the ferry quay.
A quay used for loading and unloading cargo, often with large cranes and containers.
A container quay or terminal. Common in ports and logistics.
コンテナ埠頭には巨大なクレーンが並んでいる。
Huge cranes are lined up at the container quay.
A general cargo quay or freight terminal.
貨物埠頭で荷揚げ作業が行われている。
Unloading operations are taking place at the cargo quay.
埠頭 (ふとう) is the standard modern term for a quay or wharf. 波止場 (はとば) is more literary and often used in songs or novels. 岸壁 (がんぺき) refers specifically to the vertical wall of a quay and is common in engineering contexts.
If you mean a wooden pier or jetty extending into the water (often for small boats or fishing), 桟橋 (さんばし) is more appropriate than 埠頭. 埠頭 usually implies a larger, solid structure for ships.