1.
boatman, ferryman, helmsman
A person who steers or rows a small boat, especially a traditional Japanese boat. Historically refers to ferrymen, river guides, and those who navigate small craft.
船頭が櫓を漕いでいる。
The boatman is rowing the oar.
渡し船の船頭に案内してもらった。
We were guided by the ferryman of the boat.
船頭多くして船山に登るということわざの通り、リーダーが多すぎると物事はうまくいかない。
As the proverb 'too many boatmen and the ship climbs the mountain' says, too many leaders make things go wrong.
USAGE:
Appears frequently in historical contexts and traditional imagery. Also well known from the proverb 船頭多くして船山に登る ('too many boatmen and the ship climbs the mountain'), equivalent to the English 'too many cooks spoil the broth'.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 船頭が漕ぐ: the boatman rows
- 渡し船の船頭: ferryman
PROVERB:
- 船頭多くして船山に登る: too many leaders spoil the outcome (lit. 'too many boatmen and the ship climbs the mountain')