JLPT · Level 116
15 words
Japanese word
汽船
Pronunciation
Romajikisen
Meaning
- nounsteamboat
Example
その汽船は港に着きました。so no ki sen wa minato ni tsu ki ma shi ta
The steamboat arrived at the port.
More examples
古い汽船が川をゆっくり進んでいます。furu i ki sen ga kawa o yu kku ri susu n de i ma su
An old steamboat is slowly moving along the river.
Core concept
Names a vessel that moves through water by using steam as its power source.
Common phrases
汽船に乗るki sen ni no ru
board a steamboat
汽船を降りるki sen o o ri ru
get off a steamboat
Similar words
蒸気船jōkisen: A common general term for a vessel powered by steam, covering many designs.
Definition in Japanese
蒸気を動力として水上を航行する船。jō ki o dō ryoku to shi te sui jō o kō kō su ru fune
Word origin
汽船 (kisen) combines 汽 (ki, "steam") and 船 (sen, "ship") to mean a ship powered by steam.
Usage tips
- In English, steamboat can describe steam-powered boats of various designs, not only boats with paddle wheels.