Translation guide
A mechanical device for lifting or hauling, consisting of a horizontal cylinder turned by a crank or lever, around which a rope or chain winds.
The learner wants to refer to the device itself, in general or technical contexts.
The most common modern term, borrowed from English 'winch'. Used for powered and manual devices in construction, boating, and off-roading.
I installed a winch on my car.
A general Japanese term meaning 'hoisting machine'. Covers windlasses, winches, and hoists. More descriptive than ウインチ.
This windlass is manual.
Direct loanword from English 'windlass'. Used in very specific nautical or historical contexts, but ウインチ is more common.
The ship's windlass broke down.
Specifically the device on a ship used to raise and lower the anchor.
A traditional device for drawing water from a well, consisting of a horizontal roller with a handle.
ウインチ is the most common and versatile term, used for winches in vehicles, boats, and construction. 巻き上げ機 is a broader term for any hoisting machine, including elevators and cranes. ウィンドラス is a direct loanword but is rare and mostly limited to historical or very specific nautical contexts.
A hoist is used at the construction site.
In English, 'windlass' and 'winch' are sometimes distinguished by axis orientation, but in Japanese, ウインチ covers both. If you need to specify a horizontal-axis windlass, you might say 横軸ウインチ (よこじくういんち), but this is very technical.
ヨットのウインチが錨を引き上げた。
The yacht's winch pulled up the anchor.
The well windlass got old.