What does Maru mean?

Didz · Post by **Didz** » Sat Jun 01, 2002 12:07 pm

Just a quick trivial question.

I notice that just about every Jap cargo vessel I sink has the word Maru in its name. e.g Atlantic Maru

I just wondered what it means. Is it just an affectation of the person who made the names up or were all cargo vessels requisitioned by the IJN named thus.

Von_Frag · Post by **Von_Frag** » Sat Jun 01, 2002 12:17 pm

I've read that it literally means "chubby one".

Von Frag

iancollins · Post by **iancollins** » Sat Jun 01, 2002 12:54 pm

Even the Japanese, apparently, aren't sure......... See:

http://mothra.rerf.or.jp/ENG/Hiroshima/ ... ow/99.html

IKerensky · Post by **IKerensky** » Sat Jun 01, 2002 2:18 pm

My rule of thumb: if it is called Maru, then it is a transport ship and need to be sink.

Beckles · Post by **Beckles** » Sat Jun 01, 2002 5:12 pm

Originally posted by KERENSKY
My rule of thumb: if it is called Maru, then it is a transport ship and need to be sink.

My rule of thumb is that if it is a Japanese ship, it needs to be sunk.

JohnK · Post by **JohnK** » Sat Jun 01, 2002 7:17 pm

It's Japanese for "Target."

Didz · Post by **Didz** » Sat Jun 01, 2002 9:04 pm

Originally posted by iancollins
Even the Japanese, apparently, aren't sure......... See:

http://mothra.rerf.or.jp/ENG/Hiroshima/ ... ow/99.html

Thanks Ian that was very interesting.

a300mech · Post by **a300mech** » Sun Jun 02, 2002 8:37 am

According to "Destroyer Captain" author Tamaichi (SP?) Hara,
Maru does mean "circular", or "chubby". But it can also mean "lucky". And it is this meaning which is meant when it is used on a ship.

mogami · Post by **mogami** » Sun Jun 02, 2002 9:08 am

Hi, First off I am lite like a Christmas tree. I am not attempting any disrespect or insult. Maru means beloved. In context it is an expression meant to protect the ship. Calling a ship Maru designates it as one that carries human cargo and as such is worthy of special protection. I'm sure I have not explained it. There is no literary translation. If a ship has Maru after it's name yes you can assume it to be a transport. The Japanese would not ask for special protection for a warship. I have deleted several response to other posts I hope this one is non offensive.
Maru simplky means "protect this ship" but not in those words

a300mech · Post by **a300mech** » Sun Jun 02, 2002 11:47 pm

Originally posted by Mogami
Hi, First off I am lite like a Christmas tree. I am not attempting any disrespect or insult. Maru means beloved. In context it is an expression meant to protect the ship. Calling a ship Maru designates it as one that carries human cargo and as such is worthy of special protection. I'm sure I have not explained it. There is no literary translation. If a ship has Maru after it's name yes you can assume it to be a transport. The Japanese would not ask for special protection for a warship. I have deleted several response to other posts I hope this one is non offensive.
Maru simplky means "protect this ship" but not in those words

Yeah, as Capt. Hara said, it's used for it's meaning of lucky.
Thanks for helping to clarify that Mogami.

Mojo · Post by **Mojo** » Mon Jun 03, 2002 12:09 am

Originally posted by Mogami
Hi, First off I am lite like a Christmas tree. I am not attempting any disrespect or insult. Maru means beloved. In context it is an expression meant to protect the ship. Calling a ship Maru designates it as one that carries human cargo and as such is worthy of special protection. I'm sure I have not explained it. There is no literary translation. If a ship has Maru after it's name yes you can assume it to be a transport. The Japanese would not ask for special protection for a warship. I have deleted several response to other posts I hope this one is non offensive.
Maru simplky means "protect this ship" but not in those words

That's it Mogami!

I've had enough of these reasoned explainations from you. I'm turning you in to the moderators.

Lit like a Christmas tree. LOL

tohoku · Post by **tohoku** » Thu Jun 06, 2002 7:34 am

Originally posted by Didz
Just a quick trivial question.

I notice that just about every Jap cargo vessel I sink has the word Maru in its name. e.g Atlantic Maru

I just wondered what it means. Is it just an affectation of the person who made the names up or were all cargo vessels requisitioned by the IJN named thus.

It can mean different things depeding upon how you write it out. Like, as other people have said, 'circle'.

In the context of things that float, however, it means a non-military ship, much like 'SS' is/was used in some other countries.

tohoku
YMMV

Kindaas · Post by **Kindaas** » Thu Jun 06, 2002 8:25 am

I've always considered Maru synonymous with "Sink me"

trafix · Post by **trafix** » Fri Jul 05, 2002 10:30 pm

Isn't there a Japanese expression called "kobiashi maru"?

It seems to stick in my head - but I have no idea what it means.

Toro · Post by **Toro** » Fri Jul 05, 2002 10:34 pm

That's a few hundred years in the future, as in Star Trek....

82nd Airborne · Post by **82nd Airborne** » Fri Jul 05, 2002 10:46 pm

Originally posted by Von_Frag
I've read that it literally means "chubby one".

Von Frag

as in husband to wife- honey, the chubby one is here to see you

or- honey, can you help me with my maru?

What does Maru mean?

What does Maru mean?

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Maru

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Re: Maru

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