How to say "harbour" in Japanese

• 港みなとJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounThe usual everyday word for a harbour or port where ships come and go. Covers both the physical harbour and the port town sense, and is the default choice for the place meaning.
  その船ふねはいま港みなとにある。↗

  The ship is now in the harbor.
• 港湾こうわんCommon
  nounA formal term for harbours and ports as an administrative or engineering concern, as in harbour facilities or port planning. Seldom used in ordinary conversation; it belongs to technical and official writing.
  近代的きんだいてきな港湾こうわん施設しせつがないために、多おおくの船積ふなづみ業ぎょう者しゃが不便ふべんを被かぶった。↗

  The lack of modern post facilities caused trouble for many shippers.
• 宿すやどすCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbThe verb 'harbour' in the sense of holding a feeling inside oneself, such as harbouring hope or resentment. Also used for things held or contained, like dew on leaves. Not used for places.
• ハーバーCommon
  nounA loanword meaning harbour or harbor, typically heard in place and proper names such as those of marinas or waterfront developments. For ordinary reference to a harbour, the native word is usually preferred.
• 船着き場ふなつきばCommon
  nounA small landing place or wharf where boats put in, rather than a large harbour. Suitable for a modest jetty or ferry landing; not the word for a major port or harbour.

For places, use 港 for a general harbour or port, 港湾 in technical/administrative contexts, 「ハーバー」 as a loanword, and 「船着き場」 for small landing points; for harbouring feelings, use 「宿す」.

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

• 港みなとharbour
• 港湾こうわんharbour
• 宿すやどすto house
• ハーバーharbor
• 船着き場ふなつきばharbour
• 船着きふなつきharbour
• 港こうharbour
• かくまうto shelter (e.g. a fugitive)
• 抱くいだくto have (a thought or feeling)
• 含むふくむto bear in mind
• 差し挟むさしはさむto harbor (e.g. doubts)
• 津つharbour
• はさむto harbour (feelings)