副専攻
fukusenkō
In Japanese, 'college minor' is translated as 副専攻 (fukusenkō).
The term 副専攻 refers to a secondary subject that a university student studies alongside their primary major. To express the action of pursuing a minor in a specific subject, you can use the phrase 副専攻をする. In more formal contexts, you may see the phrase 大学の副専攻 used to specifically convey the idea of a university sub-specialization or college minor.
Which one should you use?
While 副専攻 (fukusenkō) refers to a minor, the term 専攻 (senkō) refers to the primary major subject.
How do you pronounce it?
fukusenkō
Did you know?
- Students often use the loanword 'minor' written as マイナー in casual conversation, but this can be confusing because マイナー also means 'unpopular' or 'obscure' in general Japanese.
- While 副専攻 is the direct translation, the system of college minors is relatively rare in Japan, as most students follow a strict, predetermined curriculum for their single major.
- The character 副 in 副専攻 is the same character used to mean 'assistant' or 'deputy', such as in the word 副社長 for 'vice president'.
Examples in context
- 私は大学で心理学を専攻していますが、副専攻として教育学も学んでいます。I am majoring in psychology in college, but I am also studying education as a minor.
- 副専攻として経済学を勉強しています。Fukusenkō to shite keizaigaku o benkyō shite imasu.I am studying economics as a minor.
- 副専攻は何にするか決めましたか？Fukusenkō wa nani ni suru ka kimemashita ka?Have you decided what your minor will be?
Example conversation
Two students are talking about their university classes.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮くんは副専攻があるの？Ren-kun wa fukusenkou ga aru no?Ren, do you have a minor?
- 蓮 Renうん、歴史を副専攻にしているよ。Un, rekishi o fukusenkou ni shite iru yo.Yeah, I'm minoring in history.
- 陽葵 Himariすごいね！勉強大変じゃない？Sugoi ne! Benkyou taihen janai?That's impressive! Isn't the studying hard?
- 蓮 Ren結構大変だけど、とても面白いよ。Kekkou taihen dakedo, totemo omoshiroi yo.It's quite hard, but it's very interesting.
