How to Say "Boat" in Japanese

舟

fune

The Japanese word for boat is 舟 (fune) or ボート.

Meaning: water craft (noun)

Ways to say it

“boat” in Japanese
Japanese	Romanization (Wiktionary)	IPA
舟	fune
ボート	bōto	[bo̞ːto̞] (narrow)

Both terms refer to watercraft. ボート is specifically used for recreational vessels like rowing boats or small motorboats.

The loanword ボート (bōto) is the most common way to refer to a boat in a modern context, especially when discussing recreational watercraft.

fune

In traditional Japanese culture, the shape of the 舟 is echoed in the 舟皿 (boat-shaped plate), a specific style of lacquerware designed to hold sashimi.
The kanji 舟 is a pictograph that originally depicted a hollowed-out log, reflecting the ancient way of making boats in Japan.
The word 舟 is used in the common idiom 舟を出す (to launch a boat), which can metaphorically mean to start a new venture or project.

私はボートが欲しい。
I want a boat.
This sentence shows how to express wanting a ボート.
Tatoeba #3326566 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #3210440 by chris3spice
トムのボートが沈んだ。
Tom's boat sank.
This sentence demonstrates the use of ボート when describing a vessel sinking.
Tatoeba #7220059 by Aya, translation #6196164 by CK
交替でボートを漕ごうよ。
Let's take turns rowing the boat.
This sentence illustrates using ボート in the context of rowing.
Tatoeba #174169 by bunbuku, translation #240301 by CK
私は船に乗るのが好きです。
I like riding boats.
ボートに乗るのは楽しい！
Riding a boat is fun!
41 more sentences on Tatoeba

Yui and Yota are at a lake.

結衣 Yui

あそこに小さな舟がありますね。
Asoko ni chiisana fune ga arimasu ne.
There is a small boat over there, isn't there?
陽太 Yota

本当だ。あれに乗ってみようよ。
Hontō da. Are ni notte miyō yo.
You're right. Let's try getting in that one.
結衣 Yui

あの舟は貸し舟でしょうか。
Ano fune wa kashifune deshō ka.
I wonder if that boat is for rent.
陽太 Yota

多分そうだよ。聞いてみよう。
Tabun sō dayo. Kiite miyō.
Probably. Let's go ask.

Sources

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