Translation guide
The movement of goods or people over water, typically by boat or ship. This guide covers how to express this concept naturally in Japanese, from everyday terms to technical vocabulary.
Referring to transportation by water in a broad sense, such as shipping, ferries, or travel by boat.
The most direct and common term for water transportation as a mode of transport, similar to 'water traffic' or 'marine transportation'.
Water transportation is well-developed in this region.
Often used in historical or economic contexts, meaning 'water transportation' or 'marine transport', especially for cargo.
Specifically refers to maritime transport, i.e., transportation by sea. Common in business and logistics.
Refers to transportation by small boats or barges, often on rivers or canals. Historical or regional term.
Describing the act of traveling or moving people by water, such as taking a ferry or cruise.
A natural phrase meaning 'movement by boat/ship'. Suitable for everyday conversation.
You need to travel by boat to get to the island.
Means 'boat trip' or 'sea voyage', often with a leisure connotation.
Refers to a sea route or shipping lane. Can be used when discussing water transportation routes.
Focusing on the transport of cargo, freight, or goods via ships or boats.
General term for transport by vessel, used in logistics and business contexts.
Shipping by vessel is low-cost.
Maritime shipping industry; often used in economic or business news.
A simple, everyday phrase meaning 'to transport by ship'. Useful in casual conversation.
水上交通 (すいじょうこうつう) is the modern, general term for water transportation as a mode of transport, including ferries and water buses. 水運 (すいうん) is more historical or economic, often referring to cargo transport by water in past eras.
In Tokyo, water buses are used as a form of water transportation.
Edo's water transportation supported the economy.
In casual conversation, you can often simply use 船 (ふね) with verbs like 乗る (のる, to ride) or 運ぶ (はこぶ, to carry) instead of technical terms. For example, 船で行く (go by boat) is very common.
I crossed to the island by boat.
江戸時代には水運が物流の中心だった。
During the Edo period, water transportation was central to logistics.
Maritime transport takes longer than air transport.
この川はかつて舟運で栄えた。
This river once flourished with boat transportation.
船旅は飛行機より時間がかかるが、景色が楽しめる。
Traveling by ship takes longer than by plane, but you can enjoy the scenery.
新しい航路が開設された。
A new sea route has been established.
海運業界は世界的な不況の影響を受けている。
The maritime shipping industry is affected by the global recession.
This cargo will be transported by ship.