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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.

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

Von Frag

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

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

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

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.

It's Japanese for "Target."

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?