How to Say "Driving" in Japanese

運転

unten[ɯ̟̃ntẽ̞ɴ]

The Japanese word for driving is 運転 (unten).

運転 refers to the action of operating a motor vehicle. Beyond vehicles, it can also be used to describe the operation of machinery or trains.

Meaning: action of operating a motor vehicle (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The word is composed of the kanji 運 (un), meaning 'to carry' or 'to transport' and 転 (ten), meaning 'to turn' or 'to roll'.

unten

The kanji 転 in 運転 (unten) also appears in 回転寿司 (kaiten-zushi), the famous conveyor-belt sushi. Both words rely on the idea of things 'turning' or 'rolling'.
Because 運転 (unten) refers to the operation of a system, the word is used not just for cars but for the movement of elevators and the management of complex computer systems.
In Japanese, the word for a driver, 運転手 (untenshu), literally translates to 'driving hand'.

運転がとろい。
You're driving slowly.
This example shows how to describe the speed of one's 運転.
Tatoeba #11808919 by small_snow, translation #875680 by ddnktr
彼は運転が上手だ。
He is good at driving.
This example describes someone's skill level regarding their 運転.
Tatoeba #109795 by bunbuku, translation #293895 by CK
運転、遅すぎるよ。
You're driving way too slow.
This example is used to tell someone their 運転 is too slow.
Tatoeba #8684152 by bunbuku, translation #8069924 by CK
公共の場では、運転にはより十分な注意が必要です。
Extra caution is required when driving in public spaces.
休日には友達と車を運転するのが楽しいですね。
It's fun to drive with friends on weekends, isn't it?
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Misaki and Yota are talking about a long car trip.

美咲 Misaki

長距離の運転は疲れませんか？
Choukyori no unten wa tsukaremasen ka?
Aren't you tired from long-distance driving?
陽太 Yota

少し疲れますが、大丈夫です。
Sukoshi tsukaremasu ga, daijoubu desu.
I'm a little tired, but I'm okay.
美咲 Misaki

休憩しましょうか。
Kyuukei shimashou ka.
Shall we take a break?
陽太 Yota

はい、お願いします。
Hai, onegaishimasu.
Yes, please.

Sources

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