船長(せんちょう)

せんちょう
noun
captain (of a ship)
1. captain; skipper; master of a ship
The person in command of a ship or boat. Responsible for the vessel's navigation, safety, and crew.
船長(せんちょう)が指示(しじ)を出(だ)した。
The captain gave orders.
船長(せんちょう)は乗客(じょうきゃく)の安全(あんぜん)に責任(せきにん)を持(も)つ。
The captain is responsible for the safety of the passengers.
嵐(あらし)の中(なか)、船長(せんちょう)は冷静(れいせい)に判断(はんだん)して船(ふね)を安全(あんぜん)な港(みなと)へ導(みちび)いた。
In the storm, the captain made calm decisions and guided the ship to a safe harbor.

USAGE:
A compound of 船(せん) (ship) + 長(ちょう) (chief, head). Used for captains of ships of all sizes, from fishing boats to large vessels. In fiction (especially manga and anime), also used as a form of address: 船長(せんちょう)!

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 船長(せんちょう)の命令(めいれい) (the captain's orders)
  • 船長(せんちょう)を務(つと)める (to serve as captain)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 機長(きちょう): pilot in command — the equivalent for aircraft
  • 艦長(かんちょう): commanding officer of a warship — military usage
general
Added 2026.3.21 10:17
18000/18291_senchou