Translation guide
A glider is a light aircraft that flies without an engine. In Japanese, the most common word is グライダー, a loanword from English. There is also a native term 滑空機, but it is more technical. For paper airplanes that glide, use 紙飛行機.
A light aircraft designed to fly without an engine, often towed or launched.
A toy aircraft made of paper that glides when thrown.
An animal that glides through the air, such as a flying squirrel or sugar glider.
In Japanese, gliding animals are referred to by their specific names rather than a generic 'glider.' For example, a flying squirrel is モモンガ, and a sugar glider is フクロモモンガ.
モモンガは木から木へ滑空する。
The flying squirrel glides from tree to tree.
グライダー is the everyday word for a glider aircraft. 滑空機 is more technical and often appears in written or formal contexts. For most learners, グライダー is sufficient.
グライダーに乗ってみたい。
I want to ride in a glider.
滑空機の設計について学ぶ。
Learn about the design of gliders.
The most common and widely understood term for a glider. Used in everyday conversation and media.
彼は週末にグライダーを飛ばしている。
He flies a glider on weekends.
A more technical or formal term for a glider. Often used in aviation contexts or official documents.
滑空機の操縦には免許が必要です。
A license is required to pilot a glider.
The standard term for a paper airplane. While it literally means 'paper airplane,' it is used for any paper glider.
子供たちは紙飛行機を飛ばして遊んだ。
The children played by flying paper airplanes.