Translation guide
The English word 'aircraft' refers to any vehicle capable of flight. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 航空機, but more specific terms like 飛行機 (airplane) or ヘリコプター (helicopter) are often used depending on context. This guide helps learners choose the right word for different situations.
To refer to aircraft in a broad, technical, or formal sense, including airplanes, helicopters, gliders, etc.
The standard, formal term for any type of aircraft. Used in news, official documents, and technical contexts.
この空港では多くの航空機が離着陸します。
Many aircraft take off and land at this airport.
航空機の設計には高度な技術が必要です。
Designing aircraft requires advanced technology.
Commonly means 'airplane,' but often used informally to refer to aircraft in general, especially fixed-wing planes. Not suitable for helicopters or other non-airplane aircraft.
While 飛行機 can sometimes be used broadly, it primarily means 'airplane.' Use 航空機 for a more accurate general term.
飛行機で東京から大阪まで行きます。
I'll go from Tokyo to Osaka by plane.
Refers to the body or airframe of an aircraft. Used in technical or aviation contexts, not as a general term for aircraft.
事故で機体が大きく損傷した。
The aircraft's fuselage was severely damaged in the accident.
To refer to a particular kind of aircraft, such as an airplane, helicopter, or glider.
The most common word for 'airplane.' Use this for fixed-wing aircraft in everyday conversation.
あの飛行機はとても大きいですね。
That airplane is really big, isn't it?
Means 'glider.' Used for engineless aircraft.
Means 'military aircraft.' Used specifically for planes or helicopters used by the military.
Means 'passenger aircraft' or 'airliner.' Used for commercial planes carrying passengers.
To talk about aircraft in a general, abstract way, such as in discussions about aviation or the industry.
Means 'aviation' or 'air transport.' Often used in compounds like 航空業界 (aviation industry) or 航空会社 (airline).
航空業界は厳しい規制がある。
The aviation industry has strict regulations.
Specifically means 'aircraft industry.' Used in economic or business contexts.
日本の航空機産業は成長している。
Japan's aircraft industry is growing.
航空機 is a formal, all-encompassing term for any aircraft, including airplanes, helicopters, gliders, and drones. 飛行機 specifically means 'airplane' and is used in daily conversation. In casual speech, 飛行機 may be used loosely for aircraft, but it's not technically correct for non-airplane types.
航空機には飛行機やヘリコプターが含まれます。
Aircraft include airplanes and helicopters.
While 飛行機 is often used as a general term for aircraft in casual contexts, it specifically means 'airplane.' Using it for a helicopter can cause confusion. Use ヘリコプター for helicopters and 航空機 for a general term when including non-airplane types.
空に変な飛行機を見た。
I saw a strange aircraft in the sky.
Casual; 飛行機 is used because it likely looked like an airplane.
The standard word for 'helicopter.' Used in all contexts.
救助隊がヘリコプターで到着した。
The rescue team arrived by helicopter.
週末にグライダーに乗りました。
I rode a glider on the weekend.
その基地には多くの軍用機が配備されている。
Many military aircraft are deployed at that base.
A new passenger aircraft has entered service.