Translation guide
The English word 'driver' has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: a person who drives a vehicle, a device driver in computing, a golf club, and a metaphorical driver as a motivating force.
Referring to someone operating a car, bus, truck, etc.
Most common word for a professional driver (taxi, bus, truck) or someone driving a vehicle. Can also be used for non-professionals in context.
タクシーの運転手に道を教えた。
I told the taxi driver the way.
彼はバスの運転手です。
He is a bus driver.
Loanword from English, often used for a driver in general, or in contexts like 'designated driver'. Can also refer to a golf club or screwdriver, so context matters.
今夜は私がドライバーだ。
I'm the driver tonight.
Formal or legal term for a driver, often used in official documents or traffic regulations.
運転者はシートベルトを着用しなければならない。
The driver must wear a seatbelt.
Software that controls a hardware device.
Standard term in computing. Often written in katakana. Sometimes spelled ドライバー, but ドライバ is more common in tech contexts.
プリンタのドライバをインストールしてください。
Please install the printer driver.
最新のドライバに更新した。
I updated to the latest driver.
The wood club used for long-distance shots.
Standard term in golf. Same as the loanword for a person, but context distinguishes it.
新しいドライバーを買った。
I bought a new driver.
彼はドライバーで300ヤード飛ばした。
He hit the ball 300 yards with his driver.
Something that drives or pushes a process, change, or action.
Means 'driving force' or 'motive power'. Used for both literal engines and metaphorical forces.
好奇心が彼の研究の原動力だ。
Curiosity is the driver of his research.
経済成長の原動力は技術革新だ。
The driver of economic growth is technological innovation.
Propulsive force; often used for projects or initiatives.
Factor or cause; often used in analysis. Less forceful than 原動力.
While ドライバー is understood, using 運転手 is more natural for professional drivers. For casual 'I'm driving', use verb phrases like 運転する (I'll drive) instead of a noun.
運転手 is the standard word for a professional driver (taxi, bus, etc.). ドライバー is a loanword often used in compound terms (e.g., ドライバーズライセンス) or for non-professional contexts like 'designated driver'. In golf and computing, ドライバー/ドライバ is the only choice.
Full term 'device driver', used when clarity is needed.
デバイスドライバが正しく動作していない。
The device driver is not working properly.
彼女のリーダーシップがプロジェクトの推進力となった。
Her leadership became the driver of the project.
成功の主な要因はチームワークだ。
The main driver of success is teamwork.