How to Say "Social Studies" in Japanese

社会科

shakaika

The English phrase "social studies" is translated into Japanese as 社会科 (shakaika).

社会科 is used to refer to the academic subject of social studies, primarily within the context of primary and secondary school curricula.

Meaning: study of various subjects (noun)

Which one should you use?

While 社会科 refers specifically to the school subject, the word 社会 on its own refers to 'society' in a general sense.

shakaika

The phrase 社会人 meaning 'member of society' is a common Japanese term that refers to a working adult. This makes 社会 a word that defines one's legal and social status, not just a school subject.
The word 社会 (shakai) is a modern 'Wasei-kango' term, meaning it was constructed using kanji to translate Western concepts during the Meiji era.
The character 科 in 社会科 is also used in the word for 'department' in a hospital, such as 'internal medicine', showing how the word implies a specialized field of expertise.

例えば、社会科の授業では、先生がメンバーの一人になって、議論がされることがしばしばあります。
In my social studies class, for example, there are often discussions that include the teacher as another member of the group.
This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 社会科 when discussing a class or lesson.
Tatoeba #77704 by mookeee, translation #326014 by shekitten
社会がおもしろいですよ。
Social studies is interesting, you know.
社会科のテストは難しいです。
Shakaika no tesuto wa muzukashii desu.
The social studies test is difficult.
私は社会科の授業が好きです。
Watashi wa shakaika no jugyou ga suki desu.
I like social studies class.

Two students are talking about their school schedule.

陽葵 Himari

健太、次の時間は何かな？
Kenta, tsugi no jikan wa nani kana?
Kenta, what is the next period?
健太 Kenta

次は社会科だよ。
Tsugi wa shakaika dayo.
The next one is social studies.
陽葵 Himari

あ、準備をしなきゃ！
A, junbi o shinakya!
Oh, I have to get ready!
健太 Kenta

陽葵、急いで行こう。
Hiyori, isoide ikō.
Hiyori, let's go quickly.

Sources

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