How to Say "Activities" in Japanese

活動

katsudō[ka̠t͡sɨdo̞ː]

The Japanese word for "activities" is 活動 (katsudō).

活動 refers to things that people do to achieve a goal or as part of a hobby. It is a general term used to describe activities and actions.

What does it mean word for word?

The word 活動 is composed of the kanji 活 (act/do) and 動 (move/motion).

katsudō

The word 活動 is used in 就職活動 (shūshoku katsudō), often shortened to 就活 (shūkatsu), to describe the rigorous and specific process of job hunting.
In Japanese schools, 'club activities' are called 部活動 (bukatsudō). These are often so intense that students spend more time on them than on their actual studies.
In the context of idol culture, 活動休止 (katsudō kyūshi) is used when a celebrity takes a hiatus, literally meaning 'activity suspension'.

子供は野外活動が好きだ。
Children like outdoor activities.
This sentence shows how to use 活動 when talking about outdoor activities.
Tatoeba #10917172 by SomeHungryBois, translation #6452087 by Lemmih
私たちは活動計画を立てました。
We came up with a plan of activities.
This sentence illustrates using 活動 in the context of a plan of activities.
Tatoeba #8571580 by small_snow, translation #8570181 by AlanF_US
放課後にはクラブ活動があります。
We have extracurricular activities after school.
This sentence demonstrates how 活動 is used to describe extracurricular activities.
Tatoeba #82713 by bunbuku, translation #321003 by CK
「どのような活動がお好きですか？」
What activities do you enjoy?
「お読書はお好きですか？」
Do you enjoy reading?
「読むの好き？」
Do you like reading?
5 more sentences on Tatoeba

Misaki and Hiroto are talking about their hobbies.

美咲 Misaki

大翔さんは、最近何か活動をしていますか？
Hiroto-san wa, saikin nanika katsudō o shite imasu ka?
Hiroto, have you been doing any activities lately?
大翔 Hiroto

はい、地域のボランティア活動に参加しています。
Hai, chiiki no borantia katsudō ni sanka shite imasu.
Yes, I'm participating in local volunteer activities.
美咲 Misaki

それは素晴らしい活動ですね。
Sore wa subarashii katsudō desu ne.
That is a wonderful activity.
大翔 Hiroto

ありがとうございます。美咲さんも一緒にどうですか？
Arigatō gozaimasu. Misaki-san mo issho ni dō desu ka?
Thank you. Would you like to join too, Misaki?

Sources

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