Japanese word

船

Pronunciation

Romajifune

Meaning

  • nounboat

Example

これは船です。ko re wa fune de su

This is a boat.

Illustration for 船 (boat)

More examples

船に乗ります。fune ni no ri ma su

I get on a boat.

夏休みに船で島へ行きます。natsu yasu mi ni fune de shima e i ki ma su

I will go to the island by boat during summer vacation.

Core concept

Refers to a watercraft used to move people or things over water, regardless of its size or purpose.

Common phrases

  • 船に乗るfune ni no ru

    ride a boat

  • 船で行くfune de i ku

    go by boat

  • 船を降りるfune o o ri ru

    get off the boat

Similar words

ボートbōto: A small watercraft used for fishing, recreation, or travel on water.
舟fune: A small watercraft used for travel or carrying things, often powered by oars.

Definition in Japanese

水に浮かべ、人や物を運ぶための乗り物。mizu ni u ka be hito ya mono o hako bu ta me no no ri mono

Word origin

船 (fune) is a native Japanese word inherited from Old Japanese, where it already referred to a watercraft.

Usage tips

  • In simple Japanese conversation, 船 (fune) can refer to anything from a small boat to a large ship, so the situation often supplies the detail that English puts into the noun.

Other meanings

  • shipnoun

Word lists with this word