クレーン
kurēn[kɯ̟ɾẽ̞ːɴ]
The English word 'crane' (machinery) is クレーン (kurēn) in Japanese. Wiktionary also lists 起重機 (kijūki).
Meaning: machinery (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| クレーン | kurēn | [kɯ̟ɾẽ̞ːɴ] (narrow) |
| 起重機 | kijūki | [kʲiʑɨːkʲi] (narrow) |
クレーン is the common loanword used for construction machinery. It is also used to refer to the crane game found in arcades, often called a claw machine.
What does it mean word for word?
The formal term 起重機 is composed of 起 (to raise), 重 (heavy) and 機 (machine/mechanism), literally meaning 'hoisting machine'.
Which one should you use?
クレーン is the common loanword used in everyday speech, whereas 起重機 is a more formal, technical term for the machinery.
How do you pronounce it?
kurēn
When do people say it?
While this refers to machinery, the Japanese tradition of folding 1,000 origami cranes is known as 'senbazuru'.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- クレーンを操縦するのには、勿論、免許が必要です。Of course, a license is needed to operate a crane.This sentence is useful for learning about the necessity of a license to operate a クレーン.Tatoeba #74652 by fcbond, translation #329067 by fcbond
- 鶴 は、日本の伝統的なシンボルとして有名です。The crane is famous as a traditional symbol of Japan.
- 彼女は つる に関する研究を行っています。She is conducting research on cranes.
- 工事現場に大きなクレーンがある。Kōji genba ni ōkina kurēn ga aru.There is a large crane at the construction site.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are walking past a construction site.
- 健太 Kentaあのクレーン、すごく高いね。Ano kurēn, sugoku takai ne.That crane is really high, isn't it?
- 結衣 Yui本当。大きなクレーンが動いているよ。Hontō. Ōkina kurēn ga ugoite iru yo.True. A large crane is moving.
- 健太 Kenta結衣さんは、あのクレーンが怖い？Yui-san wa, ano kurēn ga kowai?Yui, are you afraid of that crane?
- 結衣 Yuiううん、迫力があってすごいと思う。Ūn, hakuryoku ga atte sugoi to omou.No, I think it's impressive and amazing.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “crane” translations and entries クレーン, 起重機, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
