Translation guide
A seaplane is an aircraft that can take off and land on water. In Japanese, the most common term is 水上飛行機 (suijō hikōki), but shorter forms like 水上機 (suijōki) and specific types like 飛行艇 (hikōtei, flying boat) are also used.
The learner wants to refer to any aircraft that operates on water, without specifying the type.
The full, standard term for a seaplane. It literally means 'water-surface airplane'. This is the safest choice in most contexts.
The seaplane landed on the lake.
A common abbreviation of 水上飛行機. It is widely understood and used in news and technical contexts.
This seaplane can take off and land on water in short distances.
Specifically a floatplane, a type of seaplane with floats instead of a boat-like hull. Used when distinguishing from flying boats.
A floatplane floats on the water with floats.
The learner wants to specify a seaplane whose fuselage itself floats on water, without separate floats.
The standard term for a flying boat. It implies a hull design that provides buoyancy. Often used for larger, long-range seaplanes.
Flying boats were widely used in World War II.
The learner wants to refer to a seaplane that also has landing gear for runways.
Literally 'water-land dual-use aircraft'. This is the precise term for an amphibious aircraft, which can take off and land on both water and land.
The amphibious aircraft took off from the lake and landed at the airport.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'amphibious seaplane'. It can be used when the context already mentions seaplanes.
水上飛行機 (suijō hikōki) is the general term for any seaplane. 飛行艇 (hikōtei) specifically refers to a flying boat with a hull. 水陸両用機 (suiriku ryōyōki) is an amphibious aircraft that can operate on both water and land. Use 水上飛行機 if unsure.
Seaplanes include floatplanes and flying boats.
An amphibious seaplane can also operate on runways.