歴史専攻
rekishi senkō
In Japanese, the phrase for history major is 歴史専攻 (rekishi senkō).
歴史専攻 is used to describe a student specializing in the study of history at a college or university. If you wish to express this as an action, such as saying 'I am majoring in history', you can use the verb phrase 歴史学を専攻しています, which utilizes the verb 専攻する (to major in).
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 歴史 (rekishi), meaning 'history' and 専攻 (senkō), meaning 'major' or 'specialization'.
How do you pronounce it?
rekishi senkō
Did you know?
- A person who is obsessed with history but is not a 歴史専攻 student might be called a 歴史オタク, or 'history otaku'.
- The kanji for history, 歴, carries the deep conceptual meaning of 'passing through' or 'going through' time. This suggests that history is not just a collection of facts, but a sequence of experiences.
- While 専攻 (senkō) means 'major', the characters literally translate to 'exclusive' and 'study', emphasizing a singular, dedicated focus rather than just a choice of course.
Examples in context
- 初めまして、佐藤と申します。私は東京大学の歴史学専攻の学生です。Nice to meet you, I'm Satō. I am a history major at the University of Tokyo.
- あの人、歴史を専攻しているんだって！すごいよね。Did you know that person is majoring in history? That's amazing, right?
- 彼は歴史専攻です。Kare wa rekishi senkou desu.He is a history major.
- 歴史専攻の学生は多いですか？Rekishi senkou no gakusei wa ooi desu ka?Are there many history majors?
- 私は大学で歴史専攻を選びました。Watashi wa daigaku de rekishi senkou o erabimashita.I chose to be a history major in college.
Example conversation
Two university students are talking about their academic paths in a campus cafe.
- 結衣 Yui蓮さんは何学部ですか？Ren-san wa nan-gakubu desu ka?Ren, what is your major?
- 蓮 Ren僕は歴史専攻です。Boku wa rekishi senkou desu.I am a history major.
- 結衣 Yuiすごいですね、歴史専攻なんですね！Sugoi desu ne, rekishi senkou nan desu ne!That's amazing, so you're a history major!
- 蓮 Renはい、歴史が好きなんです。Hai, rekishi ga suki nan desu.Yes, I love history.
