Translation guide
The English word 'harbor' can refer to a physical port or shelter for boats, or metaphorically to holding onto feelings, thoughts, or suspicions. This guide covers both literal and figurative uses, with natural Japanese equivalents.
A place on the coast where ships can dock and find shelter.
The most common and general word for a harbor or port. Used for both small fishing harbors and large commercial ports.
船が港に入ってきた。
The ship came into the harbor.
この港は漁業で有名だ。
This harbor is famous for its fishing industry.
A more formal or technical term for a harbor or port, often used in official contexts, such as '港湾施設' (port facilities).
この地域は重要な港湾都市として発展した。
This area developed as an important port city.
Loanword from English, used in proper names like 'Yokohama Harbor' or in some commercial contexts, but not the default word.
横浜ハーバーは観光客に人気です。
Yokohama Harbor is popular with tourists.
To keep a feeling, thought, or suspicion in one's mind, often secretly or for a long time.
Literally 'to hold in one's heart', this is a natural way to express harboring emotions like resentment, hope, or love.
彼は彼女に対して恨みを心に抱いている。
He harbors resentment toward her.
彼女は密かに希望を心に抱いていた。
She secretly harbored hope.
A verb meaning 'to hold' or 'to harbor', used with nouns like 疑い (suspicion), 恨み (resentment), or 希望 (hope). Often used without 心に.
A more general verb meaning 'to have', used for harboring feelings in a less literary way. Common in spoken Japanese.
彼は私に悪意を持っている。
He harbors ill will toward me.
Means 'to keep hidden' or 'to harbor secretly', emphasizing concealment. Often used for strong emotions or talents.
To give shelter or refuge to someone, especially a criminal or wanted person.
The standard verb for harboring a criminal or fugitive, implying hiding them from authorities.
彼は逃亡者をかくまった罪で逮捕された。
He was arrested for harboring a fugitive.
A more formal or literary synonym for かくまう, also meaning to shelter or hide someone.
To carry or be infected with a disease, often without showing symptoms.
Literally 'to carry a pathogen', the most straightforward way to express harboring a disease.
その動物はウイルスを体内に持っている可能性がある。
The animal may harbor the virus in its body.
A medical term meaning 'to be a carrier' of bacteria, often used for asymptomatic carriers.
彼は無症状で菌を保菌している。
He harbors the bacteria without symptoms.
Do not use 港 (minato) for metaphorical harboring. It only refers to a physical port. Use verbs like 抱く (idaku) or 持つ (motsu) for feelings, and かくまう (kakumau) for hiding people.
抱く (idaku) is more literary and often used for deep or long-held emotions like resentment or hope. 持つ (motsu) is more general and colloquial, suitable for everyday feelings like ill will or curiosity.
He seems to harbor suspicions about me.
She harbors a hidden passion.
彼らは逃亡者を匿った。
They harbored the fugitive.