Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 宇宙船 | uchūsen | [ɯ̟t͡ɕɨːsẽ̞ɴ] (narrow) |
| 宇宙機 | uchūki | [ɯ̟t͡ɕɨːkʲi] (narrow) |
Both terms refer to a vehicle that travels through space, though they are used in different contexts depending on whether you are describing a vessel for people or a piece of technology.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 宇宙船 (uchūsen) is composed of 宇宙 (uchū) meaning 'space' and 船 (sen) meaning 'ship'. The term 宇宙機 (uchūki) is composed of 宇宙 (uchū) meaning 'space' and 機 (ki) meaning 'machine' or 'aircraft'.
Which one should you use?
宇宙船 specifically implies a vessel that carries people or functions like a ship, whereas 宇宙機 is a more technical, broader term for any space-faring machine or spacecraft.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
宇宙船 is the more common, everyday term used in general conversation, media and science fiction. In contrast, 宇宙機 is the more formal and technical term used in scientific or engineering contexts to refer to spacecraft.
How do you pronounce it?
uchūsen
Did you know?
- The word 宇宙 (uchū) is composed of characters that literally mean 'room' and 'time', reflecting an ancient view of the universe as a vast spatial void and eternal duration.
- In Japanese science fiction and anime, 宇宙船 is often replaced by the loanword スペースシップ (supēsu shippu) to give the setting a more futuristic or Western feel.
- In Japanese science fiction, an author might choose 宇宙船 over 宇宙機 specifically to make the vessel feel more like a 'home' or a character with a soul, rather than just a piece of hardware.
Examples in context
- その宇宙船はとても大きいです。Sono uchūsen wa totemo ookii desu.That spacecraft is very large.
- 新しい宇宙船が打ち上げられました。Atarashii uchūsen ga uchiageraremashita.A new spacecraft was launched.
- 宇宙船の中で実験を行います。Uchūsen no naka de jikken o okonaimasu.We will conduct experiments inside the spacecraft.
Example conversation
Yota and Misaki are looking at a science museum exhibit.
- 陽太 Yota見て、大きな宇宙船の模型があるよ。Mite, ookina uchūsen no mokei ga aru yo.Look, there is a large model of a spacecraft.
- 美咲 Misaki本当だ！すごいデザインだね。Hontou da! Sugoi dezain da ne.You're right! The design is amazing.
- 陽太 Yotaいつか本物の宇宙船に行きたいな。Itsuka honmono no uchūsen ni ikitai na.I want to go on a real spacecraft someday.
- 美咲 Misaki私も一緒に行きたいです。Watashi mo issho ni ikitai desu.I want to go with you too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spacecraft” translations and entries 宇宙船, 宇宙機, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
