教科
kyōka
The Japanese phrase for school subject is 教科 (kyōka).
教科 refers specifically to a branch of knowledge that is studied as part of a school curriculum.
What does it mean word for word?
The word consists of the kanji 教 (kyō), which means 'teach' or 'instruction'.
Which one should you use?
教科 is used specifically for school subjects.
How do you pronounce it?
kyōka
Did you know?
- The kanji 科 (ka) in 教科 is also used to categorize medical specialties, such as 内科 (naika) for internal medicine and 外科 (geka) for surgery.
- The kanji 教 (kyō) is the same character found in the word for 'religion', which is 宗教 (shūkyō).
- In Japanese schools, the 'Special Activities' period, known as 総合的な学習の時間 (sōgōtekina gakushū no jikan), is a mandatory part of the curriculum but is not classified as a traditional 教科.
Examples in context
- 数学の試験が難しかったです。The math test was difficult.
- 科学実験はとても面白いです。Science experiments are very interesting.
- 日本の歴史を勉強しています。I am studying Japanese history.
- 体育の授業ではサッカーをします。We play soccer during physical education classes.
- 理科の実験、めっちゃ面白かった！The science experiment was so much fun!
- 日本の歴史、めっちゃ勉強してるんだ。I'm studying Japanese history a lot.
- 体育の授業ではサッカーするね。We play soccer during physical education classes, right?
- 好きな教科は何ですか？Suki na kyōka wa nan desu ka?What is your favorite school subject?
- 苦手な教科は数学です。Nigate na kyōka wa sūgaku desu.My weakest school subject is mathematics.
- 新しい教科が増えました。Atarashii kyōka ga fuemashita.A new school subject has been added.
Example conversation
Two students are talking about their classes.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣はどの教科が好き？Yui wa dono kyōka ga suki?Yui, which school subject do you like?
- 結衣 Yui私は歴史の教科が好きです。Watashi wa rekishi no kyōka ga suki desu.I like the history subject.
- 大翔 Hirotoそうなんだ。僕は数学が苦手だな。Sō nan da. Boku wa sūgaku ga nigate da na.I see. I'm not good at math.
- 結衣 Yui大翔なら数学が得意そうだけど。Daito nara sūgaku ga tokui sō dakedo.You look like you'd be good at math, Daito.
