How to Say "Prefecture" in Japanese

県

ken

The English phrase "prefecture" is translated into Japanese as 県 (ken). Wiktionary also lists 府 (fu) and 都道府県 (to-dō-fu-ken).

Meaning: The district governed by a prefect (noun)

Ways to say it

In some urban areas like Osaka, 府 is used instead of 県 to mean "prefecture".

ken

In Japanese addresses, the prefecture is always listed first, which is the opposite of the Western convention of moving from the specific city to the larger state.
The term 道 (dō) is used exclusively for Hokkaido and literally translates to 'circuit'. This reflects Hokkaido's unique history as a frontier territory.
The word 府 is a historical remnant from when Kyoto and Osaka served as the primary administrative hubs of the country.

私の両親は愛知県で生まれた。
My parents were born in Aichi Prefecture.
This sentence shows how to specify a location where someone was born using 県.
Tatoeba #162433 by tommy__san, translation #252081 by CN
兵庫県の人口はどれぐらいですか。
What is the population of Hyogo prefecture?
This sentence demonstrates how to ask about the population of a specific prefecture using 県.
Tatoeba #83620 by KK_kaku_, translation #320096 by CN
私はきっと彼と気が合うと思います。私たちは同じ県の出身だから。
I am sure I'll get along with him because we are from the same prefecture.
This sentence illustrates how to mention being from the same prefecture using 県.
Tatoeba #161141 by bunbuku, translation #253377 by CK
6 more sentences on Tatoeba

Kenta and Yui are talking about where they live.

健太 Kenta

結衣さんはどの県に住んでいますか。
Yui-san wa dono ken ni sunde imasu ka.
Which prefecture do you live in, Yui?
結衣 Yui

私は千葉県に住んでいます。
Watashi wa Chiba-ken ni sunde imasu.
I live in Chiba Prefecture.
健太 Kenta

千葉県はいいところですね。
Chiba-ken wa ii tokoro desu ne.
Chiba Prefecture is a nice place, isn't it?
結衣 Yui

はい、とても静かで好きな県です。
Hai, totemo shizuka de suki na ken desu.
Yes, it is a very quiet prefecture that I like.

Sources

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