クラブ
kurabu[kɯ̟ɾa̠bɯ̟]
The English word "club" can be translated into Japanese as クラブ (kurabu). Wiktionary also lists 倶楽部 (kurabu) and 同好会 (dōkōkai).
Meaning: association of members (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| クラブ | kurabu | [kɯ̟ɾa̠bɯ̟] (narrow) | |
| 倶楽部 | kurabu | [kɯ̟ɾa̠bɯ̟] (narrow) | dated |
| 同好会 | dōkōkai | [do̞ːko̞ːka̠i] (narrow) |
In modern Japanese, クラブ is the standard way to refer to various types of clubs, including sports clubs, social clubs and even nightclubs.
Which one should you use?
While クラブ is a loanword used for many types of clubs, 同好会 is a more formal Japanese term often used for smaller, interest-based hobby groups or circles within an organization. The kanji spelling 倶楽部 is an older way of writing the word and is rarely seen in modern daily life, appearing mostly in historical contexts or names of established, old-fashioned institutions.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
同好会 is a more formal term than クラブ. The spelling 倶楽部 is dated.
How do you pronounce it?
kurabu
Did you know?
- If you look closely at the characters used in the old spelling 倶楽部, the first two characters can be read as 'together' and 'enjoy', effectively translating the English word 'club' into a phrase meaning 'a group that enjoys things together'.
- In Japanese schools, a 同好会 is typically a lower-status group than a 部 because it lacks official school funding and recognition.
- Many Japanese universities have 'circles' called サークル which are even more casual and less committed than a 同好会.
Examples in context
- クラブに入りたいな。I'd like to join the club.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to join a クラブ.Tatoeba #11073113 by small_snow, translation #11073098 by CK
- クラブに入りませんか。Will you join our club?This sentence is useful for inviting someone to join a クラブ.Tatoeba #225551 by bunbuku, translation #62887 by CK
- 彼はクラブから除外された。He was excluded from the club.This sentence is useful for describing someone being excluded from a クラブ.Tatoeba #113907 by tommy__san, translation #289766 by CH
- クラブに入る予定です。I plan to join a club.
- 大学のクラブ活動に参加しています。I am participating in university club activities.
- 音楽部に入っています。I am a member of the music club.
- サッカー部の練習が楽しいです。Soccer club practice is fun.
- 53 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Ren are discussing their school activities.
- 結衣 Yui蓮くんは、どのクラブに入ったの？Ren-kun wa, dono kurabu ni haitta no?Ren, which club did you join?
- 蓮 Ren僕はテニスクラブに入ったよ。Boku wa tenisu kurabu ni haitta yo.I joined the tennis club.
- 結衣 Yuiいいな。私もそのクラブに興味があるわ。Ii na. Watashi mo sono kurabu ni kyoumi ga aru wa.That's nice. I'm interested in that club too.
- 蓮 Renぜひ一緒に練習しよう！Zehi issho ni renshuu shiyou!Let's definitely practice together!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “club” translations and entries クラブ, 倶楽部, 同好会, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries クラブ, 倶楽部, 同好会, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
