Translation and Meaning of: 運転 - unten

The Japanese word 運転[うんてん] is essential for those studying the language or planning to travel to Japan. Its main meaning is related to the action of driving vehicles, but its use goes beyond the automotive context. In this article, we will explore everything from the translation and writing to curiosities about how this word is perceived in everyday Japanese life. If you are looking to better understand 運転 to use it in sentences or memorize its kanji, you are in the right place!

Meaning and translation of 運転

運転 is commonly translated as "driving" (of vehicles) or "operation" (of machines). In Japan, it appears on traffic signs, technical manuals, and even in informal conversations. For example, 運転免許[うんてんめんきょ] means "driver's license".

It is worth noting that although it is associated with cars, 運転 also applies to trains, forklifts, and other equipment. This versatility makes it common in industrial settings and public transportation.

Origin and writing of the kanji 運転

The kanji 運 combines the radicals "movement" (⻍) and "cloud" (云), suggesting the idea of something that moves. Meanwhile, 転 brings "wheel" (車) and "change" (专), reinforcing the notion of mechanical movement. This composition reflects well the practical sense of the word.

According to the dictionary 漢字源, 運転 emerged during the Edo period (1603-1868), when wheel transportation became popular. Originally, it described the turning of mills and water wheels before gaining its current meaning.

Cultural usage and frequency in Japan

In Japan, 運転 is a common word due to the importance of transportation. Companies like JR use terms like 運転士[うんてんし] (engineer) in public announcements. It's also common to hear 運転する? ("Are you going to drive?") in social gatherings.

Interestingly, animes like "Initial D" popularized expressions like ドリフト運転 (drift driving), showing how the term adapts to subcultures. But be careful: in a work setting, 運転 is always formal. Saying 運転してください ("Please drive") sounds polite, unlike slang terms like 飛ばす (to speed).

Tips to memorize 運転

An effective way to memorize 運転 is to associate its kanjis with images. Visualize 運 as "moving clouds" and 転 as "a spinning wheel." Apps like Anki allow you to create cards with useful phrases: 彼はバスを運転しています ("He is driving a bus").

Another tip is to practice with real situations. If you take a taxi in Tokyo, listen to the driver say 運転しますよ ("I will drive now"). The context helps to remember the pronunciation and practical usage.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 運転する (untensuru) - drive
• 運転手 (untenshu) - Driver
• 運転免許 (untenmiken) - driver's license
• 運転方法 (untenhōhō) - driving method
• 運転席 (untenseki) - driver's seat
• 運転技術 (untengijutsu) - driving technique
• 運転時間 (untenjikan) - driving time
• 運転中 (untenchū) - during driving
• 運転場所 (untenbasho) - driving location
• 運転距離 (untenkyori) - distância percorrida

運転

Romaji: unten
Kana: うんてん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: operation; movement; driving

Meaning in English: operation;motion;driving

Definition: To move operating a car or vehicle.

Example Sentences - (運転) unten

See below some example sentences:

運転免許を持っていますか？

Unten menkyo wo motteimasu ka?

Do you have a driver's license?

• 運転免許 - Driving license
• を - Direct object particle
• 持っています - TO HAVE
• か - interrogative particle

オートマチックな車は運転が楽です。

Ootomachikku na kuruma wa unten ga raku desu

An automatic car is easy to drive.

Automatic cars are easy to drive.

• オートマチックな - adjective that means "automatic"
• 車 - noun that means "car"
• は - Topic particle
• 運転 - noun that means "to direct"
• が - subject particle
• 楽 - adjective that means "easy" or "comfortable"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

彼は車を運転中に猫を轢いてしまった。

Kare wa kuruma o untenchuu ni neko o hikikatte shimatta

He ran over a cat while driving.

He ran over a cat while driving a car.

• 彼 - pronoun that means "he"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "he"
• 車 - noun that means "car"
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case, "car"
• 運転中 - compound noun that means "during driving"
• に - particle indicating the moment when the action took place, in this case, "during the driving"
• 猫 - noun that means "cat"
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case, "cat"
• 轢いてしまった - compound verb that means "ran over/accidentally ran over"

私は教習所で運転を学んでいます。

Watashi wa kyōshūjo de unten o manande imasu

I'm learning to drive at driving school.

I'm studying driving at the driving school.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 教習所 (kyōshūjo) - Driving school
• で (de) - Particle that indicates the place where the action occurs
• 運転 (unten) - driving, drive
• を (wo) - direct object particle that indicates the target of the action
• 学んでいます (manandeimasu) - verb meaning "I'm learning"