パイロット

• Reading: パイロット
• Romaji: pairotto
• Pronunciation: /pa.i.ɾot.to/

Meaning

Pilot; a person who flies an aircraft.

A katakana loanword from English 'pilot.' Refers primarily to someone who operates an aircraft, both commercial and military. Also used metaphorically: パイロット版 (pairotto-ban, pilot version/episode), パイロットプログラム (pairotto puroguramu, pilot programme). Becoming a pilot (パイロットになる) is a popular childhood dream in Japan, frequently appearing in school essays.

Examples

1. 子供のころパイロットになりたかった。 When I was a kid, I wanted to be a pilot.
2. パイロットは出発前に天気を確認する。 The pilot checks the weather before departure.
3. 兄は航空会社でパイロットとして働いている。 My older brother works as a pilot for an airline.

Usage Guide

Context: aviation, careers, travel

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Borrowed from English 'pilot,' which derives from French 'pilote,' from Italian 'pilota,' ultimately from Greek 'pēdon' (rudder). Entered Japanese during the early aviation era.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal