Drive meanings in Japanese

運転する (うんてんする)

Example:

I love to drive on the weekends.

週末に運転するのが大好きです。

Can you drive me to the station?

駅まで運転してくれますか？

Usage: informalContext: Used when discussing operating a vehicle.

Note: Commonly used in everyday conversation about transportation.

推進する (すいしんする)

Example:

We need to drive innovation in our company.

私たちは会社でイノベーションを推進する必要があります。

He is driving the project forward.

彼はそのプロジェクトを推進しています。

Usage: formalContext: Used in business or organizational contexts.

Note: Often refers to promoting or advancing initiatives or projects.

衝動 (しょうどう)

Example:

She has a strong drive to succeed.

彼女は成功するための強い衝動があります。

His drive for perfection is admirable.

彼の完璧を求める衝動は素晴らしいです。

Usage: informalContext: Used when talking about motivation or determination.

Note: Refers to an internal motivation or ambition.

ドライブ (どらいぶ)

Example:

Let's go for a drive in the countryside.

田舎にドライブに行きましょう。

I enjoyed the scenic drive along the coast.

海岸沿いの景色の良いドライブを楽しみました。

Usage: informalContext: Used when referring to a leisurely trip in a vehicle.

Note: This usage emphasizes enjoyment of the journey rather than the destination.

駆動する (くどうする)

Example:

The engine drives the wheels of the car.

エンジンが車の車輪を駆動します。

This software drives the entire system.

このソフトウェアがシステム全体を駆動します。

Usage: formalContext: Used in technical or mechanical contexts.

Note: Refers to the mechanism or function that causes something to operate.

operate

To control or use a machine or vehicle.

Example: He knows how to operate heavy machinery.

Note: Similar to 'drive' but can be used in a broader sense beyond just vehicles.

navigate

To find a way to get to a place when you are traveling in a vehicle.

Example: She navigated through the busy streets of the city.

Note: Focuses more on finding a way or route to a destination rather than the act of controlling a vehicle.

pilot

To operate an aircraft or spacecraft.

Example: He piloted the plane through turbulent weather.

Note: Specifically refers to controlling an aircraft or spacecraft, not other types of vehicles.

steer

To control the direction in which a vehicle moves.

Example: She steered the boat towards the shore.

Note: Focuses on controlling the direction rather than the overall operation of the vehicle.

Drive someone up the wall

This idiom means to annoy or irritate someone greatly.

Example: Her constant nagging is driving me up the wall.

Note: The original word 'drive' refers to operating a vehicle, while this idiom has a figurative meaning of causing frustration or annoyance.

Drive a hard bargain

To be a tough and shrewd negotiator, usually in business dealings.

Example: He drove a hard bargain during the negotiation.

Note: In this phrase, 'drive' means to push or force a particular outcome, whereas in its original sense, it refers to operating a vehicle.

Drive home

To make something clearly understood or emphasized.

Example: The presentation really drove home the importance of teamwork.

Note: While 'drive' typically means operating a vehicle, in this phrase, it conveys the idea of reinforcing a message or idea.

Drive at

To hint at or imply something indirectly.

Example: What are you driving at with all these questions?

Note: In this context, 'drive' suggests aiming towards a point or intention, rather than the literal act of driving.

Drive someone round the bend

To make someone extremely irritated or frustrated.

Example: His constant singing is driving me round the bend!

Note: The original word 'drive' involves operating a vehicle, whereas this idiom means causing someone to feel exasperated or annoyed.

Drive a wedge between

To create division or conflict between people or groups.

Example: Their constant arguing drove a wedge between them.

Note: In this phrase, 'drive' is used metaphorically to indicate the act of creating a separation or rift, rather than driving a physical object.

Drive off

To force someone or something to leave by driving away or scaring them.

Example: The loud noise drove the birds off.

Note: While 'drive' typically refers to operating a vehicle, in this phrase, it means causing something to depart by using force or fear.

Drive me nuts

To irritate or annoy someone greatly.

Example: Her constant humming is driving me nuts.

Note: The slang term intensifies the feeling of annoyance or frustration compared to just saying 'drive me crazy.'

Drive-thru

A type of service offered by businesses such as fast-food restaurants where customers can order and receive products without leaving their cars.

Example: Let's grab some food at the drive-thru.

Note: Originally derived from 'drive-through,' the slang term is a shorter and more casual way to refer to this service.

Drive-by

A quick visit or inspection done without stopping, usually while in a vehicle.

Example: They did a quick drive-by to check out the new house.

Note: Derived from 'drive-by shooting,' the term has been extended to include non-violent actions like checking out a location briefly.

Driven

Showing a strong motivation or determination to achieve something.

Example: She's a very driven individual and always strives for success.

Note: While 'drive' refers to the action of operating a vehicle, 'driven' specifically emphasizes the dedication and ambition of a person.

Drive time

The period during rush hours when many people are commuting to or from work.

Example: I listen to the radio during my morning drive time.

Note: This term is commonly used in broadcasting to refer to the times when radio listeners are in their cars, making it a specific time slot for programming.

Drive up the wall

To make someone extremely irritated or frustrated.

Example: The constant noise of the construction next door is driving me up the wall.

Note: While this slang term uses 'drive,' it differs from its original phrase by intensifying the feeling of irritation or frustration.

Drive-by shooting

A type of attack in which the perpetrator shoots from a moving vehicle and then quickly leaves the scene.

Example: Drive-by shootings are a serious issue in some urban areas.

Note: This slang term carries a very specific and serious connotation, unlike the casual usage of 'drive-by' for non-violent actions.

I need to buy a new hard drive for my computer.

She is a very driven person, always striving for success.

He loves to go for a drive in the countryside on weekends.

Drive - Verb (Verb) / Verb, base form (Verb, base form)

Lemma: drive

Conjugations

Noun, plural (Noun, plural): drives, drive

Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): drive

Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): drove

Verb, past participle (Verb, past participle): driven

Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): driving

Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): drives

Verb, base form (Verb, base form): drive

Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): drive

Syllabification and Stress

drive Contains 1 syllables: drive

Phonetic transcription: ˈdrīv

drive , ˈdrīv (The red syllable is stressed)

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.

drive: ~ 1900 (Very common).

This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

Drive