Translation and Meaning of: 汽船 - kisen

Explanation and Etymology - (汽船) kisen

The word 「汽船」 (kisen) is composed of two kanji: 「汽」 and 「船」. 「汽」 (ki) means "steam", and 「船」 (sen) means "ship" or "boat". Therefore, the etymology of the word suggests a type of vessel that moves using steam. In a historical context, the term 「汽船」 refers to a steamship, a technology that was predominant in navigation during the 19th century and early 20th century.

At the beginning of the use of this technology, steamships represented a true revolution in maritime transport. Previously, journeys were primarily made by sail-powered vessels, which relied heavily on wind conditions. The introduction of steamships enabled faster and more predictable travel, transforming commerce and the shipbuilding industry. The term 「汽船」 became common to designate these modern vessels that allowed for much greater control over navigation routes.

The origin of steamships is linked to the Industrial Revolution, when technological advances such as the steam engine, invented by James Watt, began to transform entire industries, including maritime ones. The word 「汽船」 captures this historical transition to modernity, where steam enabled the exploration of more distant locations and strengthened international trade relations. Today, although the use of steam engines has been replaced by more efficient technologies such as diesel and electric engines, the legacy left by the 「汽船」 is deeply rooted in global maritime history.