Translation guide
The English word 'paddle' has several distinct meanings: a short oar for small boats, a blade on a water wheel or paddle steamer, a tool for mixing or hitting, and the act of moving through water using a paddle. This guide covers the most common Japanese equivalents for each meaning, with notes on usage and context.
A handheld implement with a broad blade at one end, used to propel a canoe, kayak, or small boat through water.
The most common and direct loanword for a canoe or kayak paddle. Used in sports and recreation.
カヌーのパドルを買った。
I bought a canoe paddle.
パドルで水をかく。
Paddle the water with a paddle.
A traditional Japanese word for a paddle or oar, often used for small boats. Can also mean 'oar' in general.
彼はかいで舟を進めた。
He propelled the boat with a paddle.
The kanji for 'kai', specifically meaning a paddle or oar. More literary or technical.
櫂を漕ぐ音が静かに響いた。
The sound of paddling echoed quietly.
One of the boards or floats attached to a wheel or steamer that pushes against water to create motion.
Refers to a blade or vane, including those on a water wheel or paddle wheel. Also means 'wing' or 'feather'.
水車の羽根が回っている。
The paddles of the water wheel are turning.
Also used for the blade of a paddle steamer, especially in modern or technical contexts.
A flat, usually wooden, utensil used for mixing food, stirring, or as a bat for punishment.
A flat wooden rice paddle used for serving rice. Also used for mixing.
しゃもじでご飯をよそう。
Serve rice with a rice paddle.
A wooden spatula or paddle used for stirring or mixing in cooking.
木べらで鍋をかき混ぜる。
Stir the pot with a wooden paddle.
Sometimes used for a mixing paddle, especially in baking or industrial contexts.
The action of propelling a small boat using a paddle.
The standard phrase for 'to paddle' a canoe or kayak.
湖でカヌーのパドルを漕いだ。
We paddled a canoe on the lake.
Using the traditional word 'kai' for the action.
彼はゆっくりとかいを漕いだ。
He paddled slowly.
A flat piece of wood used for hitting someone as punishment, or the act itself.
General word for a whip or rod used for punishment. Not specifically a paddle, but used in similar contexts.
昔は学校でむち打ちの罰があった。
In the past, there was punishment by paddling in schools.
A specific term for a flat paddle used for corporal punishment. Rarely used.
先生が平手板で生徒を叩いた。
The teacher hit the student with a paddle.
パドル is the modern loanword specifically for canoe/kayak paddles. かい is a traditional Japanese word that can refer to oars or paddles for small boats. In everyday conversation about canoeing, パドル is more common.
カヌーにはパドルが必要だ。
You need a paddle for a canoe.
和船ではかいを使う。
Traditional Japanese boats use a paddle/oar.
In English, 'paddle' is not fixed to the boat, while 'oar' is typically used with oarlocks. In Japanese, オール (oar) is used for rowing boats. Use パドル for paddles.
ボートをオールで漕ぐ。
Row a boat with oars.
私たちは川をパドルで下った。
We paddled down the river.
彼女は生地を混ぜるのに木べらを使った。
She used a wooden paddle to mix the batter.
The paddle of the paddle steamer churns the water.
Mix the dough with a paddle.