Translation and Meaning of: 港 - minato

The Japanese word 「港」 (minato) is commonly used to refer to a port or anchorage, a place where boats and ships can dock. In Japanese writing, this term uses a single kanji, 「港」, which is composed of the radicals 「氵」 (water), 「共」 (together, common), and 「口」 (mouth), symbolizing the idea of a mouth of the sea where the waters come together, a fundamental concept for a port.

Historically, ports have played a vital role in the economic and cultural development of Japan as an island nation. Port cities were centers of trade and cultural exchange, connecting Japan to other cultures and civilizations. Many of Japan's ancient ports, such as Yokohama, have transformed into prosperous and modern cities but still preserve the historical significance of the word 「港」 in their daily operations.

The expression 「港」 (minato) appears in different contexts within the Japanese language. Besides the physical meaning of port, it can also be found in names of places or people, conveying a sense of closeness to the sea or a cultural reference to the importance of ports. In linguistic terms, the word can be complemented with other kanjis to describe specific types of ports, such as 「漁港」 (gyokou), meaning fishing port, or 「空港」 (kuukou), which refers to an airport, demonstrating how the base of the term expands to fit different contexts and situations.

In summary, the word 「港」 (minato) encapsulates not only the physical concept of a port but also the rich history and cultural interconnection that ports have provided throughout the centuries in Japan. This terminology reflects the complex relationship of the country with the sea and its historical, economic, and cultural importance that has always been present in Japanese society.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 港湾 (Kōwan) - Port in general, a reference to port infrastructure.
• 港口 (Kōkō) - The entrance or opening of a port, focus on the location.
• 港町 (Mina-to) - Port city, emphasizing the community around the port.
• 港市 (Kōshi) - Port city, more formal, usually with urban status.
• 港湾都市 (Kōwan toshi) - Extensive port city, with advanced infrastructure and urban development.
• 港町都市 (Minato toshi) - Port city, with a greater focus on culture and community.

港

Romaji: minato
Kana: みなと
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: harbor; pier

Meaning in English: harbour;port

Definition: A waterway that connects the sea and the land. A place where ships come and go.

Example Sentences - (港) minato

See below some example sentences:

淡水は台湾の北部にある美しい港町です。

Dansui wa Taiwan no hokubu ni aru utsukushii koumachi desu

Danshui is a beautiful port city located in the northern part of Taiwan.

Tamami is a beautiful port city in the northern part of Taiwan.

• 淡水 - Name of the city of Tamsui
• は - Topic particle
• 台湾 - Taiwan
• の - Possessive particle
• 北部 - Region norte
• に - Location particle
• ある - Verb "to be" in the present
• 美しい - Adjective "beautiful"
• 港町 - harbor
• です - Verb "to be" in the present

タクシーで空港に行きます。

Takushii de kuukou ni ikimasu

I go to the airport by taxi.

Go to the airport by taxi.

• タクシー (takushii) - Táxi
• で (de) - by means of, using
• 空港 (kuukou) - airport
• に (ni) - towards, towards
• 行きます (ikimasu) - Go

彼女は空港で私を出迎えてくれた。

Kanojo wa kuukou de watashi wo demukae te kureta

She received me at the airport.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 空港 (kūkō) - airport
• で (de) - Location particle
• 私 (watashi) - I
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 出迎えてくれた (demukaetekureta) - received me

彼女は空港で私を出迎える予定です。

Kanojo wa kuukou de watashi wo demukaeru yotei desu

She has plans to meet me at the airport.

She will meet me at the airport.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 空港 (kūkō) - airport
• で (de) - Location particle
• 私 (watashi) - I
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 出迎える (demukaeru) - receive, find
• 予定 (yotei) - plan, schedule
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

彼女を空港まで見送った。

Kanojo wo kuukou made miokutta

I accompanied her to the airport.

I saw her at the airport.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - "Ela" significa "彼女" (kanojo) em japonês.
• を (wo) - Direct object particle in Japanese
• 空港 (kuukou) - It means "airport" in Japanese.
• まで (made) - particle that indicates a limit or endpoint in Japanese
• 見送った (miokutta) - verb that means "to accompany to the exit" in Japanese, in the past

港にはたくさんの船が停まっている。

Minato ni wa takusan no fune ga tomatte iru

At the port

Many ships are docked at the port.

• 港 (minato) - port
• に (ni) - particle indicating location
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• たくさんの (takusan no) - many
• 船 (fune) - ships
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 停まっている (tomatte iru) - are parked

空港にはたくさんの人がいます。

Kuukou ni wa takusan no hito ga imasu

There are many people at the airport.

• 空港 (kūkō) - airport
• に (ni) - particle indicating location
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• たくさん (takusan) - many
• の (no) - Particle that indicates possession
• 人 (hito) - people
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• います (imasu) - verb that indicates the existence of something or someone

貨物を運ぶ船が港に入ってきました。

Kamotsu wo hakobu fune ga minato ni haitte kimashita

A ship carrying cargo has just entered the port.

A ship carrying cargo entered the harbor.

• 貨物 (ka-motsu) - cargo, merchandise
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 運ぶ (ha-kobu) - carry
• 船 (fune) - ship, boat
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 港 (minato) - port
• に (ni) - target particle
• 入ってきました (haitte kimashita) - entered