Japanese word

船長

Pronunciation

Romajisenchō

Meaning

  • nouncaptain

Example

船長は船を港へ進めます。sen chō wa fune o minato e susu me ma su

The captain steers the ship into the harbor.

Illustration for 船長 (captain)

More examples

船長の指示に従って、乗組員は帆を調整します。sen chō no shi ji ni shitaga tte nori kumi in wa ho o chō sei shi ma su

Following the captain's instructions, the crew adjusts the sails.

Core concept

Centers on the person who commands a vessel and directs its movement and crew.

Common phrases

  • 船長を務めるsen chō o tsuto me ru

    serve as captain

  • 船長に任命するsen chō ni nin mei su ru

    appoint as captain

Similar words

船頭sendō: The person who directs a small boat and may also handle its navigation and operation.

Definition in Japanese

船の航行を指揮し、乗組員を統率する者。fune no kō kō o shi ki shi nori kumi in o tō sotsu su ru mono

Word origin

船長 (senchō) combines 船 (sen, "ship") and 長 (chō, "chief"), forming a title for the person in charge of a ship.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may associate captain with sports or military ranks, but 船長 (senchō) specifically names the person in command of a ship.

Other meanings

  • skippernoun

Related words

  • 船長職senchōshokucaptaincynoun

Word lists with this word