How to say "transport" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 運ぶはこぶgodan verb, transitive verbThe everyday verb for carrying or moving something from one place to another, whether by hand or by vehicle; use it whenever 'transport' is an action someone performs on things.
- 輸送ゆそうnoun, suru verb, transitive verbThe general noun for transport as an activity or system — moving goods or people over a distance by vehicle, ship, or aircraft; the natural choice for 'transportation' in logistics and infrastructure contexts.
- 運搬うんぱんnoun, suru verb, transitive verbA formal, written-flavored noun for conveying or carrying goods and materials; it fits technical descriptions of moving loads and is seldom the word you want in everyday speech about transporting something.
- 運送うんそうnoun, suru verb, transitive verbRefers to the business side of moving goods — freight, shipping, hauling; choose it when 'transport' names a shipping company's trade or service, not a single act of moving something.
- 移送いそうnoun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers official transfer rather than ordinary transport: a person or case — typically a suspect, prisoner, or patient — being moved to another authority or facility; rarely the right word for transporting things.
Use the verb 「運ぶ」 for physically carrying things; 輸送 for moving goods or people over distance; 運送 for the freight and shipping business; 運搬 for formal conveyance of goods or materials; and 移送 only for official transfers.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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