How to say "navigation" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- nounA common abbreviation used for car navigation systems; the natural choice when 'navigation' means the device or getting directions rather than a voyage at sea.
- 航海こうかいnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers 'navigation' in the sense of a voyage at sea — a ship's crossing or passage — rather than the car device or the running of transport services.
- 航行こうこうnoun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbRefers to a ship cruising or sailing along a course; use it when 'navigation' describes a vessel's movement or progress through the water rather than the voyage as an event.
- 運航うんこうnoun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbConcerns the operation of a ship or aircraft route — running services and flights; for 'navigation' in the sense of managing or operating transport services, this is the apt word.
- 通航つうこうnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbMatches 'navigation' in the narrow sense of vessels passing through waters; for the general sense of the English word it is seldom the right choice.
Use 「ナビ」 for the route-guidance device, 航海 for sea voyages, 航行 for ships sailing on a course, 運航 for operating ship or flight services, and 通航 for vessels passing through waters — a narrow sense 'navigation' seldom means.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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