How to Say "Subject" in Japanese

科目

kamoku[ka̠mo̞kɯ̟]

The English word 'subject' is translated into Japanese as 科目 (kamoku) when referring to an academic subject.

The term 科目 is used specifically for academic subjects or courses of study within a school or university setting.

Meaning: main topic (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The word is composed of the characters 科 (subject/section) and 目 (eye/item/list), literally meaning 'subject/item and branch/division'.

kamoku

While 科目 describes the academic subject, the Japanese word for 'subject' in a grammatical sense is 主語, which literally translates to 'main word'.
In Japanese schools, a student's 'favorite subject' is often phrased as 得意な科目, which literally means the subject they are 'proficient' or 'strong' in.
In Japanese high schools, students often refer to their academic 'subjects' using the term 教科, which implies a specific textbook is used, whereas 科目 focuses more on the administrative course or credit.

数学は難しい科目だ。
Mathematics is a difficult subject.
This sentence is useful for describing the difficulty of the subject 科目.
Tatoeba #143552 by bunbuku, translation #271015 by CK
英語は必修科目です。
English is a compulsory subject.
This sentence is useful for identifying the subject 科目 as a compulsory part of a curriculum.
Tatoeba #4495165 by tommy__san, translation #4493925 by CN
物理は私の好きな科目だ。
Physics is my favorite subject.
This sentence is useful for expressing a personal preference for the subject 科目.
Tatoeba #83736 by bunbuku, translation #319980 by CK
研究の主題は社会の影響についてです。
The subject of the research is about the influence of society.
今回の会議のトピックは新商品のプロモーションについてです。
The subject of this meeting is about promoting the new product.
最新の話題について話し合おう！
Let's talk about the latest subject!
このイベントのテーマは「自然との共生」だ。
The theme of this event is "Harmony with Nature."
この小説のテーマは「愛と喪失」です。
The subject of this novel is "Love and Loss."
11 more sentences on Tatoeba

Two siblings are talking about school.

陽葵 Himari

陽太は、一番好きな科目は何？
Youta wa, ichiban sukina kamoku wa nani?
Youta, what is your favorite subject?
陽太 Yota

僕は歴史が一番好きだよ。
Boku wa rekishi ga ichiban suki dayo.
I like history the most.
陽葵 Himari

そうなんだ。私は理科の科目が苦手。
Sou nanda. Watashi wa rika no kamoku ga nigate.
I see. I am not good at science subjects.
陽太 Yota

じゃあ、僕が教えてあげるよ。
Jaa, boku ga oshiete ageru yo.
Then, I will teach you.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏