Translation guide
A tanker is a large ship or vehicle designed to carry liquids or gases in bulk. This guide covers how to refer to tankers in Japanese, including ships, trucks, and related terms.
Refer to a large seagoing vessel that transports liquid or gas cargo.
Refer to a road vehicle with a tank for transporting liquids.
Warning: 'tanker' can be confused with 'tank' (armored vehicle). This is not the same.
In English, 'tanker' is a ship/vehicle for liquids, while 'tank' is an armored fighting vehicle. In Japanese, タンカー only means the liquid carrier. For a military tank, use 戦車 (せんしゃ).
Using タンカー to mean a military tank will cause confusion.
戦車が演習に参加した。
Tanks participated in the exercise.
The English word 'tanker' refers to a liquid-carrying vessel or vehicle. The Japanese タンカー has the same meaning. For an armored military vehicle, use 戦車 (せんしゃ).
The most common and general term for a tanker ship. Used for oil tankers, chemical tankers, etc.
あのタンカーは原油を運んでいる。
That tanker is carrying crude oil.
A more technical term for an oil tanker, literally 'oil tank ship'. Used in formal or industry contexts.
油槽船の安全基準が強化された。
Safety standards for oil tankers have been strengthened.
Specifically an LNG (liquefied natural gas) tanker.
LNGタンカーが港に入港した。
An LNG tanker entered the port.
The standard term for a tanker truck. Used for fuel delivery, water trucks, etc.
タンクローリーがガソリンスタンドに燃料を届けた。
The tanker truck delivered fuel to the gas station.
Specifically a refueling vehicle, often used at airports or for mobile refueling.
空港で給油車が飛行機に燃料を補給している。
At the airport, a refueling truck is refueling the airplane.