How to say "boat" in Japanese

• 船ふねJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounThe general everyday word for any watercraft, large or small; it covers both 'ship' and 'boat' and is the default choice when talking about traveling by water.
  彼かれらは船ふねを岸きしに引き上ひきあげた。↗

  They drew their boat on the beach.
• ボートJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe loanword for a small boat — a rowboat, motorboat, dinghy, or lifeboat; this is the word you want when English 'boat' means a small craft you row, paddle, or drive with a small motor.
  橋はしの上流じょうりゅうに私はボートを見みた。↗

  I saw a boat above the bridge.
• 舟艇しゅうていCommon
  nounA formal collective term for boats and small watercraft, found mainly in official, military, or technical writing; it is seldom the word you want for an individual boat in everyday speech.

Use 船 for boats and ships in general, 「ボート」 for small boats such as rowboats or motorboats, and 舟艇 only as a formal collective term for watercraft in official or military contexts.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 船ふねship
• ボートboat
• 舟艇しゅうていboat
• 船せんship
• バッテラboat
• 船艇せんていship
• 艇てい(small) boat
• 端艇たんてい(small) boat