How to say "hull" in Japanese

Choosing the right word
  • 船体せんたいCommon
    nounThe hull of a ship as a whole structure, as opposed to its masts, engines, or fittings. Use this when discussing vessels, as in a ship's hull being damaged.
  • 殻からJLPT N2approx.Common
    nounThe hard outer covering of a seed, nut, grain, or fruit — the husk or hull you remove before eating. This is the noun for the covering itself, not for the ship sense of 'hull'.
    飲み物のみものはヤシの実じつの殻からに入いれてあった。↗
    The drinks were served in coconut shells.
  • むくJLPT N2approx.Common
    godan verb, transitive verbA verb meaning to peel, skin, or hull — removing the outer covering from fruit, vegetables, or grains. This is the action of hulling, not the covering itself, and is normally written in kana.
    このなしの皮かわをむくナイフを貸かして下ください。↗
    Lend me a knife with which to peel this pear.
  • 胴体どうたいCommon
    nounPrimarily the body or fuselage of an aircraft; it also covers the hull of a ship. For ships, 船体 is usually the more natural choice, so reserve this mainly for aircraft.

For ships or aircraft use 船体 or 胴体; for the outer covering of seeds or fruits use 殻, and for the action of removing it use 「むく」.

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

Japanese equivalents
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JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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