also: ふなおさ
noun
ship's captain; skipper
Only with reading せんちょう
The person in command of a vessel. Standard modern term.
船長は乗組員に指示を出した。
The captain gave orders to the crew.
彼は大型タンカーの船長
He serves as the captain of a large tanker.
noun
length of a ship
Only with reading せんちょう
Technical or formal term for a vessel's length. Less common in everyday speech.
この船の船長は約300メートルです。
The length of this ship is about 300 meters.
noun
Only with reading ふなおさ
Archaic term for a person who operates a boat, using the reading ふなおさ. Not used in modern Japanese.
古文書には、ふなおさが川を渡る人々を助けたと記されている。
Ancient documents record that boatmen helped people cross the river.