Translation guide
The English word 'spur' has several distinct meanings: a spike on a boot for riding a horse, something that motivates or stimulates action, and a sharp projection on a bird's leg or a mountain ridge. This guide covers the most common and useful Japanese expressions for each meaning.
Expressing something that encourages, motivates, or prompts action or development.
A general term for stimulus or stimulation, often used for something that spurs action or growth.
競争は経済成長の刺激となる。
Competition serves as a spur to economic growth.
Literally 'spur' (as in riding), but commonly used metaphorically to mean something that accelerates or stimulates a process. Often used in the phrase 拍車をかける (to spur on).
その事件が改革に拍車をかけた。
The incident spurred on the reforms.
Refers to motivation or the act of motivating, often used in psychological or educational contexts.
成功体験が彼の動機付けとなった。
The experience of success became a spur for him.
Encouragement or incentive; something that gives one emotional support to continue.
皆の応援が励みになった。
Everyone's support was a spur to me.
Literally 'detonator', used figuratively for something that triggers or spurs a sudden change or action.
その発言が議論の起爆剤となった。
That remark acted as a spur to the discussion.
Referring to the metal spike worn on a rider's boot to urge a horse forward.
The standard term for a riding spur.
彼は馬に拍車を当てた。
He put spurs to his horse.
Referring to a sharp, pointed part on an animal's leg or a geographical feature.
Used for the spur on a bird's leg or a flower's spur. Also used in geography for a spur of a mountain range.
その鳥の足には鋭い距がある。
That bird has sharp spurs on its legs.
Specifically refers to a spur or branch of a mountain range.
その山の支脈が湖まで伸びている。
A spur of the mountain extends to the lake.
Both can mean 'spur' in a figurative sense. 刺激 is a general stimulus, while 拍車 implies acceleration or intensification, often with the phrase 拍車をかける (to spur on). 拍車 is more vivid and action-oriented.
新しい政策が景気に刺激を与えた。
The new policy gave a stimulus to the economy.
新しい政策が景気に拍車をかけた。
The new policy spurred on the economy.