Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ヘリコプター | herikoputā | [he̞ɾʲiko̞pɯ̟̊ta̠ː] (narrow) |
| ヘリ | heri | |
| 螺旋翼機 | rasen'yokuki | [ɾa̠sẽ̞ɰ̃jo̞kɯ̟kʲi] (narrow) |
The primary way to refer to this aircraft is using the loanword ヘリコプター. In casual settings, people often shorten this to ヘリ. For specific subcultures or enthusiasts, the term チョッパー is also used informally.
What does it mean word for word?
The technical term 螺旋翼機 breaks down literally to mean 'spiral-wing aircraft'.
Which one should you use?
ヘリコプター is the standard term. ヘリ is a common abbreviation used in casual conversation, similar to the English 'heli'. 螺旋翼機 is a highly technical or archaic term, and チョッパー is an informal term used by enthusiasts or fans of pop culture.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ヘリコプター is the standard and more formal term, suitable for news reports or official contexts. ヘリ is an informal, abbreviated form used in everyday speech. 螺旋翼機 is a very formal, technical term, while チョッパー is informal and used within specific fan communities.
How do you pronounce it?
herikoputā
Did you know?
- The term 螺旋翼機 is so rare in modern conversation that using it might make you sound like a character from a retro science fiction novel.
- The term チョッパー is used by certain enthusiasts, but be careful: in English this often refers to a specific type of motorcycle, whereas in Japanese subcultures it refers to the aircraft.
- While ヘリコプター is a loanword, the kanji in 螺旋翼機 uses 螺旋 to describe a 'spiral', reflecting the geometric shape of the rotor's path rather than just the blade itself.
Examples in context
- ヘリがあればいいけど操縦できない。It would be nice to have a helicopter, but I'm not a pilot.This sentence shows the use of the informal ヘリ.Tatoeba #11001358 by KK_kaku_, translation #12481085 by Lumi
- ヘリコプターの操縦方法は分かります。I know how to fly a helicopter.This sentence shows the use of the standard ヘリコプター.Tatoeba #8894521 by bunbuku, translation #6258914 by CK
- ヘリコプターが超低空飛行をしています。The helicopter is flying very low.Tatoeba #10508955 by small_snow, translation #33893 by CK
- ヘリコプターが空から現れました。The helicopter appeared from the sky.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are looking at the sky.
- 美咲 Misakiあ、ヘリコプターが飛んでいるよ。A, herikoputā ga tonde iru yo.Oh, a helicopter is flying.
- 陽太 Yota本当だ。どこへ行くのかな。Hontō da. Doko e iku no kana.You're right. I wonder where it's going.
- 美咲 Misaki救助のヘリコプターかもしれないね。Kyūjo no herikoputā kamo shirenai ne.It might be a rescue helicopter.
- 陽太 Yotaそうかもね。すごい音だ。Sō kamo ne. Sugoi oto da.Maybe. It's making a loud noise.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “helicopter” translations and entries ヘリコプター, ヘリ, 螺旋翼機, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
