Translation guide
The sport or activity of propelling a boat using oars. In Japanese, the most common and natural way to refer to rowing as a sport is ボート競技 (boat racing/competition), while the action of rowing is 漕ぐ (kogu). There are also specific terms for traditional Japanese rowing styles.
Referring to the sport of rowing, such as in the Olympics or school clubs.
The standard term for the sport of rowing. Literally 'boat competition'. Used for competitive rowing events.
彼は高校でボート競技を始めた。
He started rowing in high school.
Loanword from English 'rowing'. Used in sports contexts, but less common than ボート競技.
ローイングは全身運動だ。
Rowing is a full-body workout.
Formal or technical term for rowing as a sport. Often seen in competition names or official contexts.
全日本漕艇選手権大会
All Japan Rowing Championships
Describing the physical act of moving a boat with oars.
General verb meaning 'to row' or 'to paddle'. Used for rowing boats, canoes, and even pedaling a bicycle.
湖でボートを漕いだ。
I rowed a boat on the lake.
彼はゆっくりとオールを漕いだ。
He rowed the oars slowly.
Phrase meaning 'to row a boat'. More specific than just 漕ぐ.
週末にボートを漕ぐのが趣味です。
My hobby is rowing a boat on weekends.
Talking about rowing for leisure, not competition.
Casual term for going out in a rowboat for fun. Literally 'boat play'.
公園の池でボート遊びをした。
We went rowing on the pond in the park.
Referring to traditional Japanese boats or rowing styles.
Traditional Japanese wooden boat, often rowed with a single oar at the stern (sculling).
和船を漕ぐ体験ができる。
You can experience rowing a traditional Japanese boat.
A traditional Japanese sculling oar used at the stern. The action is 櫓を漕ぐ (to scull).
彼は櫓を漕いで舟を進めた。
He sculled the boat forward.
In English, 'rowing' usually implies using oars that pivot on the boat, while 'paddling' (like canoeing) uses a paddle held freely. In Japanese, 漕ぐ covers both, but for clarity, パドリング (paddling) or カヌー (canoe) may be used for paddling sports.