How to Say "Calculus" in Japanese

微積分

bisekibun[bʲise̞kʲi̥bɯ̟̃ɴ]

In Japanese, the English phrase 'calculus' is translated as 微積分 (bisekibun).

微積分 refers to calculus as a single subject, encompassing both differential and integral calculus.

Meaning: differential calculus and integral calculus considered as a single subject (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The term is a compound of 微分, meaning differentiation and 積分, meaning integration.

While 微積分 is the common way to refer to the subject in conversation, the more formal name for the academic discipline is 微分積分学.

bisekibun

In Japanese high schools, the subject is often split into 数II and 数III, and 微積分 is the most feared part of the latter, often viewed as the 'final boss' of high school math.
The character 微 in 微積分 can be read as 'bi' in this context, but it is also used in the word 微熱 to describe a 'slight fever'.
While 微積分 is the academic term, students often use the slangy shorthand 微積 (biseki) in casual conversation to save time.

微積分なんか大っ嫌い。
I hate calculus.
This sentence is useful for expressing a strong dislike for the subject using 微積分.
Tatoeba #10760327 by small_snow, translation #3374196 by CK
微積分を学ぶには、練習問題をたくさんこなす必要があります。
Learning calculus requires a lot of practice.
This sentence shows how to describe the requirements for learning 微積分.
Tatoeba #2962060 by odango_daisuki, translation #2961598 by meerkat
数学の授業では、微積分の基礎を学びます。
In math class, we learn the fundamentals of calculus.

Ren and Himari are studying together in the library.

蓮 Ren

陽葵、この微積分の問題が解けないよ。
Himari, kono bisekubun no mondai ga tokenai yo.
Himari, I can't solve this calculus problem.
陽葵 Himari

どこが分からないの？見せて。
doko ga wakaranai no? misete.
What part don't you understand? Let me see.
蓮 Ren

ここの計算がどうしても合わないんだ。
koko no keisan ga dōshitemo awanain da.
The calculation here just won't work out.
陽葵 Himari

あ、ここは公式を間違えてるよ。
a, koko wa kōshiki o machigaeteru yo.
Oh, you used the wrong formula here.

Sources

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