美術専攻
bijutsu senkō
The Japanese phrase for "art major" is 美術専攻 (bijutsu senkō).
美術専攻 refers to the academic specialization of fine arts at a college or university. When you want to state that you are majoring in art during a conversation, it is more natural to use the verb form 美術を専攻しています (I am majoring in art) rather than using the noun phrase alone.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 美術 (bijutsu), meaning 'fine arts' and 専攻 (senkō), meaning 'major' or 'specialization'.
Which one should you use?
While 美術 (bijutsu) refers to the field of fine arts itself, using this word alone does not specify that you are a student specializing in the subject. You must include 専攻 (senkō) to denote the academic major.
How do you pronounce it?
bijutsu senkō
Did you know?
- While 美術 (bijutsu) refers to 'fine arts', the word 術 (jutsu) is also the root of 'martial arts' 武術 (bujutsu) and 'technique' 技術 (gijutsu). This links the academic study of art to the concept of specialized skill and mastery.
- In Japan, students in the 美術専攻 (bijutsu senkō) often use a specialized term called 美大 (bidai), a shorthand for 'art university', as a badge of identity that distinguishes them from students at general universities.
- Japanese art students often distinguish between 美術 (bijutsu) for fine arts and 芸術 (geijutsu) for 'the arts' in a broader sense. An 'art major' in a creative arts program might be referred to as 芸術専攻 (geijutsu senkō) instead.
Examples in context
- 私は大学で美術専攻をしています。I'm majoring in Art at university.
- 彼女は美術学科に所属しています。She belongs to the Art Department.
- 彼は美大生だから、才能があるんだよ。He's an Art Major, so he's talented.
- 彼女は美術専攻です。Kanojo wa bijutsu senkou desu.She is an art major.
- 弟は大学で美術専攻をしています。Otouto wa daigaku de bijutsu senkou o shite imasu.My younger brother is an art major at university.
- 美術専攻の学生は多いですか？Bijutsu senkou no gakusei wa ooi desu ka?Are there many art major students?
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are talking about their college degrees.
- 結衣 Yui結衣さんは大学で何を勉強していますか？Yui-san wa daigaku de nani o benkyō shite imasu ka?Yui, what are you studying at university?
- 健太 Kenta私は美術専攻です。絵を描くのが大好きです。Watashi wa bijutsu senkō desu. E o kaku no ga daisuki desu.I'm an art major. I love painting.
- 結衣 Yuiすごいですね！どんな絵を描くんですか？Sugoi desu ne! Donna e o kaku n desu ka?That's amazing! What kind of paintings do you do?
- 健太 Kenta主に油絵を練習しています。Omo ni abura-e o renshū shite imasu.I mainly practice oil painting.
