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.
Specifically the device on a ship used to raise and lower the anchor.
The technical term for an anchor windlass on a ship. Used in maritime contexts.
揚錨機で錨を上げる。
Raise the anchor with the windlass.
A traditional device for drawing water from a well, consisting of a horizontal roller with a handle.
Refers to the well-bucket and rope system, often including the windlass mechanism. Evokes a traditional image.
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.
工事現場では巻き上げ機が使われている。
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.
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.
この巻き上げ機は手動式です。
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.
船のウィンドラスが故障した。
The ship's windlass broke down.
Commonly used for anchor winches on smaller boats. Less formal than 揚錨機.
ヨットのウインチが錨を引き上げた。
The yacht's winch pulled up the anchor.
釣瓶で井戸から水を汲む。
Draw water from the well with a windlass.
Descriptive phrase meaning 'well hoist'. Clear but less idiomatic than 釣瓶.
井戸の巻き上げ機が古くなった。
The well windlass got old.