船(せん)

船(せん) is a suffix used in compound words related to ships and vessels.

Compounds

By function:

• 貨物(かもつ)船(せん): cargo ship, freighter
• 客(きゃく)船(せん): passenger ship
• 漁(りょう)船(せん): fishing boat
• 軍(ぐん)船(せん): warship

By size/type:

• 大型(おおがた)船(せん): large vessel
• 小型(こがた)船(せん): small boat
• 帆(はん)船(せん): sailing ship

Other compounds

• 船(せん)長(ちょう): captain
• 船(せん)員(いん): crew member
• 乗(じょう)船(せん): boarding a ship

Usage

As a standalone word, 船(ふね) is used to mean "boat" or "ship." The reading 船(せん) appears primarily in compound words.