How to Say "Homework" in Japanese

宿題

shukudai[ɕɨkɯ̟da̠i]

The Japanese word for homework is 宿題 (shukudai). Wiktionary also lists 課題 (kadai).

Meaning: work that is done at home (noun)

Ways to say it

“homework” in Japanese
Japanese	Romanization (Wiktionary)	IPA
宿題	shukudai	[ɕɨkɯ̟da̠i] (narrow)
課題	kadai	[ka̠da̠i] (narrow)

宿題 is the most commonly used term for homework in Japanese.

While 宿題 is the standard term for school homework, 課題 is used for more formal academic assignments, research topics or professional tasks.

shukudai

The word 宿題 can be used metaphorically to describe a 'pending issue' or a 'long-term problem' that a government or organization has yet to solve.
The word 宿 (shuku) in 宿題 shares a root with 'shukuhaku', which means to stay at a hotel or inn.
In Japanese schools, students often use a 連絡帳 or 'contact notebook' where teachers write the 宿題 for students to show their parents.

宿題は完璧？
Have you completed your homework?
This sentence uses 宿題 to ask if homework is perfect.
Tatoeba #10724019 by small_snow, translation #4960770 by Chackoony
宿題で忙しい。
I'm busy with my homework.
This sentence uses 宿題 to say one is busy with it.
Tatoeba #147872 by bunbuku, translation #258541 by CK
宿題手伝って。
Help me with my homework.
This sentence uses 宿題 to ask for help with it.
Tatoeba #163312 by tommy_san, translation #251200 by CK
毎晩、しゅくだいをするのは大変ですが、頑張ります。
Doing homework every night is tough, but I will do my best.
今夜の宿題は数学のレポートを書くことです。
Tonight's homework is to write a math report.
331 more sentences on Tatoeba

Kenta and Misaki are talking at a cafe about their studies.

健太 Kenta

今日の宿題は多いですか？
Kyō no shukudai wa ooi desu ka?
Is there a lot of homework today?
美咲 Misaki

はい、とても多いです。
Hai, totemo ooi desu.
Yes, there is a lot.
健太 Kenta

美咲さんはもう終わりましたか？
Misaki-san wa mō owarimashita ka?
Have you finished it already, Misaki?
美咲 Misaki

いいえ、まだ終わっていません。
Iie, mada owatte imasen.
No, I haven't finished yet.

Sources

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