Translation guide
The English word 'travel' covers a wide range of movement, from daily commuting to long-distance journeys. In Japanese, different words are used depending on the purpose, distance, and context. This guide helps you choose the right expression.
To talk about going on a trip, especially for leisure or to a distant place.
The most common word for 'travel' as a trip or journey, usually for pleasure. It implies going somewhere relatively far and staying at least one night.
来月、北海道に旅行に行きます。
I'm going on a trip to Hokkaido next month.
海外旅行が好きです。
I like traveling abroad.
A more poetic or literary word for 'journey' or 'travel'. Often used in titles, songs, or to evoke a sense of adventure. Can also be used in everyday speech but sounds slightly more abstract than 旅行.
To describe the act of moving between locations, especially regularly or for a specific purpose.
Means 'movement' or 'travel' in the sense of changing location. Used for commuting, business trips, or any physical relocation. Not limited to leisure.
通勤に1時間移動します。
I travel an hour to work.
次の会議室に移動しましょう。
Let's move to the next meeting room.
Specifically means 'commuting to work'. Use this when talking about daily travel to and from your workplace.
Specifically means 'commuting to school'. Use this for students traveling to school.
To express the action of traveling somewhere.
The verb form of 旅行. It means 'to travel' or 'to take a trip'.
夏休みに海外を旅行する予定です。
I plan to travel abroad during summer vacation.
The verb phrase using 旅. Slightly more literary or adventurous in tone.
彼は世界を旅している。
He is traveling the world.
Means 'to go on a business trip'. Use this specifically for work-related travel.
来週、大阪に出張します。
I'm traveling to Osaka on business next week.
To refer to travel in an abstract sense, such as the travel industry or the idea of traveling.
Also used for the general concept of travel. In compounds, it often appears as 旅行業 (travel industry) or 旅行者 (traveler).
旅行業界で働いています。
I work in the travel industry.
The English loanword 'travel', often used in company names, product names, or trendy contexts. Not used as a verb.
旅行 (ryokou) is the standard word for a trip, especially for leisure and with a clear itinerary. 旅 (tabi) has a more poetic, adventurous, or philosophical nuance. Use 旅行 for most everyday situations; use 旅 when you want to emphasize the journey itself or in literary contexts.
旅行の計画を立てる。
Plan a trip.
旅の思い出。
Memories of the journey.
The loanword トラベル (toraberu) is a noun and cannot be used as a verb like 'I travel'. Use 旅行する or other native verbs instead.
毎日電車で通勤しています。
I commute by train every day.
自転車で通学しています。
I commute to school by bicycle.
トラベルバッグを買いました。
I bought a travel bag.