How to say "vessel" in Japanese

• 容器ようきJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounThe everyday word for a container or receptacle such as a box, bottle, jar or tank; choose this when 'vessel' means a hollow object that holds something, not a ship.
  これらの容器ようきは気密きみつになっている。↗

  These containers are airtight.
• 船舶せんぱくJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounCovers ships and vessels as watercraft; it is the term used in legal, official and shipping contexts, so in ordinary talk about a boat 船 is the natural word.
  懐中電灯かいちゅうでんとうは、船舶せんぱく同士どうしとか、街まちの通とおりを走はしっている自動車じどうしゃに向むけて合図あいずを伝つたえる。↗

  Flashing lights transmit messages between ships and to motorists along city streets.
• 器物きぶつCommon
  nounA collective word for vessels and containers regarded as objects; it is seldom the word you want for a single everyday container — for that, 容器 is the natural choice.
• 器うつわJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounThe everyday word for bowls, dishes and other tableware, including ceramic pieces; when 'vessel' means a bowl or pot that food or drink is served in, this is the word.
  いくら器うつわだけを日本一にっぽんいちにしても、中身なかみが三さん流りゅうやったらな〜んの意味いみもないんちゃうの？↗

  The container may be the best in Japan, but if the contents are third class, then isn't it completely meaningless?
• 船ふねJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounThe everyday word for a ship or boat; when 'vessel' simply means a watercraft, this is what people say, while 船舶 belongs to official and legal contexts.
  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.

Use 容器 for a container that holds something, 船 for a ship in everyday speech and 船舶 for ships as an official category; 器 means bowls and dishes, while 器物 is a collective word for vessels and containers.

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

• 容器ようきcontainer
• 船舶せんぱくvessel
• 器物きぶつreceptacle
• 器うつわbowl
• 船ふねship
• 船せんship
• 船艇せんていship
• 脈管みゃっかん(vascular) vessel
• 管かんvessel
• 器きvessel
• 導管どうかんvessel