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A1 noun #3,183 más común 7 min de lectura

専攻

senkō Top 3,183

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos 専攻 en 30 segundos

Explicación 専攻 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 専攻 (senkou) means 'major.' You will mostly use it in the simple sentence pattern: '[Subject] wa [Major] desu.' It is a key word for introducing yourself as a student. You should learn it alongside basic subject names like 'eigo' (English) or 'suugaku' (Math). At this level, don't worry about complex grammar; just treat it as a label for your studies. It helps you answer the question 'What do you study?' in a polite, understandable way. You might hear it from a teacher or a new friend at a language exchange. Remembering that 'sen' means special and 'kou' means study can help you recognize the kanji later on. It's a very 'safe' word that makes you sound like a serious student.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 専攻 as a 'suru' verb. You can say 'Eigo o senkou shite imasu' (I am majoring in English). This allows you to talk about your current actions rather than just stating a fact. You should also start to recognize common academic departments (学科 - gakka) and how they relate to your major. At this stage, you might use 専攻 to describe your past as well: 'Daigaku de nani o senkou shimashita ka?' (What did you major in at university?). You are building the ability to have a short conversation about your educational background. You might also notice it in simple forms or applications. The focus here is on the 'o' particle usage and the present continuous form 'shite imasu.'

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At the B1 level, you can explain *why* you chose your 専攻. You can use connecting words like 'kara' or 'node' to give reasons. 'Kodomo no koro kara kagaku ga suki datta node, kagaku o senkou shimashita' (Because I liked science since I was a child, I majored in chemistry). You also start to distinguish 専攻 from 専門 (senmon). You understand that 専攻 is for your degree, while 専門 is for your specific skills or expertise. You can participate in more detailed discussions about university life, including 'senkou kamoku' (major subjects) and 'sentaku kamoku' (elective subjects). Your vocabulary for specific fields of study should expand to include things like 'keizaigaku' (economics) or 'shinrigaku' (psychology).

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At the B2 level, you use 専攻 in professional contexts like job interviews or networking. You can discuss how your 専攻 relates to the job you are applying for. You understand the nuances of academic specialization and can use terms like 'senkou bun'ya' (field of specialization) to describe research topics. You can read academic articles or news reports that use 専攻 to introduce experts. At this level, you are expected to use the word with appropriate levels of politeness (Keigo) when speaking to professors or recruiters. You might say, 'Watakushi wa daigaku de hougaku o senkou itashimashita' (I majored in law at university - humble form). You also understand the cultural context of the 'Shuukatsu' (job hunting) season in Japan and how important the major is in that process.

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At the C1 level, you can use 専攻 to engage in deep academic or sociological discussions. You might discuss the trends in university 専攻 in Japan versus your home country. You can understand complex compound words like 'senkou katei' (major course/program) or 'senkou gakka' (major department). You are comfortable using the word in writing, such as in a thesis or a formal research proposal. You can also pick up on subtle nuances, such as when someone uses 専攻 metaphorically or in a slightly humorous way to describe an obsession. Your grasp of the kanji is perfect, and you can write it and its related compounds without hesitation. You are also aware of the historical evolution of academic departments in the Japanese education system.

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At the C2 level, your mastery of 専攻 is indistinguishable from a native speaker. You can debate the merits of specific academic specializations in the context of the global economy or the future of education. You understand the legal and administrative definitions of 専攻 within the Japanese Ministry of Education (MEXT) guidelines. You can use the word in high-level academic writing, including peer-reviewed journals. You are also sensitive to the register of the word, knowing exactly when to use it and when a more specific or a more general term like 'kenkyuu' (research) or 'senmon' (specialty) is more appropriate. You can also explain the etymology of the kanji and how the concept of a 'major' has changed in Japan since the Meiji era.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

専攻 en 30 segundos

専攻 (senkou) means 'major' or 'field of study' in a university setting.
It can be used as a noun or a suru-verb (senkou suru).
It is more formal than 'senmon' and specifically academic.
Essential for self-introductions, resumes, and job interviews in Japan.

The Japanese word 専攻 (せんこう - senkou) is a fundamental noun in the lexicon of education and professional development. At its core, it translates to 'major' or 'field of specialization.' While English speakers might use 'major' exclusively in a university context, 専攻 carries a slightly more formal weight, emphasizing the 'exclusive study' or 'specialized research' one undertakes. It is composed of two kanji: 専 (sen), meaning 'exclusive' or 'specialty,' and 攻 (kou), meaning 'to study' or 'to research' (historically derived from 'to attack' a subject). When you tell someone your 専攻, you are identifying the academic pillar of your identity during your college years.

Academic Context: In Japanese universities, students belong to a 'Gakubu' (Faculty) and then specify their 'Senkou' (Major). For example, within the Faculty of Letters, your major might be Japanese History.

Self-Introductions: During 'Jiko Shoukai' (self-introductions), especially for students or recent graduates, stating your 専攻 is standard protocol to establish your background and expertise.

私の大学での専攻は経済学です。 (My major at university is economics.)

Understanding 専攻 is crucial for navigating Japanese social hierarchies in educational settings. It is not just about what you like; it is about what you are officially recognized as studying. People will use this word to ask about your expertise during job interviews (Shuukatsu) to see if your academic background aligns with the company's needs. Unlike 'Senmon' (specialty), which can refer to any skill you are good at, 専攻 is strictly tied to institutionalized education.

彼は心理学を専攻しています。 (He is majoring in psychology.)

In a broader sense, 専攻 distinguishes the professional from the amateur. While a hobbyist might study 'rekishi' (history), only a student enrolled in a formal program would say their 専攻 is history. This distinction is vital in Japanese culture, where formal affiliations and institutional titles carry significant social weight. Whether you are filling out an application form or chatting at a networking event, 専攻 is the bridge between your personal interests and your professional credentials.

Using 専攻 correctly requires understanding its role as both a noun and a Suru-verb. The most common grammatical pattern for beginners is '[Subject] no senkou wa [Subject Matter] desu.' This translates to '[Subject]'s major is [Subject Matter].' This is the safest, most polite way to introduce your field of study in a formal setting.

The 'No' Particle: Use 'no' to link the person or the school to the word 'senkou.' Example: 'Daigaku no senkou' (University major).

あなたの専攻は何ですか？ (What is your major?)

When you want to describe the action of majoring in something, you use the Suru-verb form: '[Subject Matter] o senkou suru.' This is more active and is often used when discussing academic history or future plans. For instance, 'I want to major in Biology' becomes 'Seibutsugaku o senkou shitai desu.' Note the use of the object particle 'o' (を) before 'senkou.'

大学院で言語学を専攻するつもりです。 (I intend to major in linguistics in graduate school.)

In more advanced contexts, you might encounter 'senkou kamoku' (major subjects) or 'senkou bun'ya' (field of specialization). These compound nouns allow for more precise descriptions of one's academic focus. For example, if you are an engineering student, your 'senkou bun'ya' might be robotics. This level of detail is common in academic papers and curriculum vitae (CVs).

Common Subjects: Common pairings include: 法律 (Law), 文学 (Literature), 数学 (Mathematics), and 芸術 (Arts).

彼は物理学を専攻している学生です。 (He is a student majoring in physics.)

You will encounter 専攻 in environments where academic credentials matter. The most obvious place is on a university campus. During orientation week, professors and senior students (senpai) will constantly ask new students about their 専攻. It serves as a social icebreaker to find common interests or to guide students toward the right departments.

Job Hunting (Shuukatsu): In Japan, the job-hunting process for university students is highly structured. Recruiters will ask, 'Gakusei jidai ni nani o senkou shimashita ka?' (What did you major in during your student days?) to gauge your logical thinking and foundational knowledge.

面接で専攻について詳しく聞かれました。 (I was asked in detail about my major during the interview.)

Another common location is in television documentaries or news reports featuring experts. When an expert is introduced, their name is often followed by their university and their 専攻. This establishes their authority on the topic being discussed. You might see a caption like 'Tokyo University Professor, Specialized in Seismology' (Tokyo Daigaku Kyouju, Jishingaku Senkou).

私の兄は、大学で建築を専攻していました。 (My older brother majored in architecture at university.)

Lastly, you will see this word on official documents like diplomas, transcripts (Seiseki Shoumeisho), and resumes (Rirekisho). In these contexts, 専攻 is usually followed by the specific name of the department. If you are applying for a visa or a scholarship in Japan, knowing how to write your 専攻 in kanji is essential.

Online Profiles: On social media platforms like LinkedIn or even dating apps, 'Senkou' is a standard field in the education section.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make is confusing 専攻 (senkou) with 専門 (senmon). While both relate to expertise, their usage is distinct. 専攻 is specifically for academic majors at a university or college. 専門 is a much broader term that refers to your 'specialty' or 'expertise' in any field, whether acquired through school, work, or self-study.

Senkou vs. Senmon: If you are a professional chef, your 'senmon' might be French cuisine, but you wouldn't say your 'senkou' is French cuisine unless you studied it as a degree major.

❌ 趣味は料理で、イタリアンが専攻です。 (Wrong: My hobby is cooking and my major is Italian.)

Another mistake is using 専攻 for high school subjects. In Japanese, high school students have 'kamoku' (subjects) or 'fukushuu' (review), but they don't have a 'senkou' because the curriculum is generally standardized. Using 専攻 in a high school context sounds overly pretentious or simply incorrect.

❌ 高校での専攻は数学でした。 (Incorrect for most high schools.)

Finally, watch out for the particle usage with the verb form. It is always '[Subject Matter] o senkou suru,' never 'ni' or 'de.' English speakers often think 'major in' and try to use the particle 'ni' (に), but in Japanese, the subject matter is the direct object of your study 'attack' (攻).

Particle Precision: Correct: 経済学を専攻する (Major in economics). Incorrect: 経済学に専攻する.

While 専攻 is the standard word for an academic major, several related terms describe similar concepts. Understanding these nuances will make your Japanese sound more natural and precise.

専門 (Senmon): Broad expertise. Use this for your professional niche after graduation. 'Senmon-ka' means an expert or specialist.

学科 (Gakka): The administrative department. While 'senkou' is the subject you study, 'gakka' is the organizational unit you belong to. Often used interchangeably in casual speech.

私の専攻は英文学で、英文学科に所属しています。 (My major is English Literature, and I belong to the English Literature Department.)

For those in research or graduate school, you might hear 研究分野 (Kenkyuu Bun'ya), which means 'research field.' This is even more specific than a major. For example, your major might be Biology, but your research field is Marine Microbiology.

科目 (Kamoku): Individual subjects or courses. You take many 'kamoku' to complete your 'senkou.'

Lastly, 専科 (Senka) refers to a specialized course or a department that focuses on a single vocation, often found in technical colleges or vocational schools (Senmon Gakkou). While related, it implies a more practical, less academic focus than 専攻.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The 'kou' (攻) in senkou is the same character used in 'kougeki' (attack). In an academic sense, it suggests that you are aggressively pursuing or 'conquering' a field of knowledge.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /sɛn.koʊ/

US /sɛn.koʊ/

Japanese has pitch accent rather than stress. 'Senkou' typically has a [Heiban] (Flat) or [Atamadaka] (Head-high) accent depending on the dialect, but flat is standard.

Rima con

Kenkou (Health) Tenkou (Weather) Renkou (Taking someone along) Genkou (Manuscript) Benkou (Study - archaic) Henkou (Change) Enkou (Arc) Zenkou (Good deed)

Errores comunes

Pronouncing 'sen' as 'seen'.
Making the 'kou' too short (sounding like 'senko').
Confusing it with 'seiko' (success).
Adding a 'u' sound at the very end like 'sen-ko-oo'.
Stress on the wrong syllable.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 3/5

The kanji are N3 level, but the concept is introduced early.

Escritura 4/5

The kanji for 'kou' (攻) can be tricky to remember correctly.

Expresión oral 2/5

Easy to pronounce and use in basic patterns.

Escucha 2/5

Clear pronunciation, often used in introductions.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

大学 (University) 勉強 (Study) 学生 (Student) 何 (What) 私 (I)

Aprende después

専門 (Specialty) 学科 (Department) 学部 (Faculty) 卒業 (Graduation) 修士 (Master's degree)

Avanzado

学際的 (Interdisciplinary) 形骸化 (Trivialization) 研究領域 (Research area) 単位修得 (Earning credits) 論文 (Thesis)

Gramática que debes saber

Suru-verbs

専攻する (To major in)

Possessive Particle 'No'

私の専攻 (My major)

Object Particle 'O'

数学を専攻する (Major in math)

Context Particle 'De'

大学で専攻する (Major at university)

Polite Desu/Masu

専攻は何ですか？ (What is your major?)

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Ejemplos por nivel

私の専攻は日本語です。

My major is Japanese.

Basic A wa B desu structure.

あなたの専攻は何ですか？

What is your major?

Question form using 'nan'.

専攻は数学です。

My major is math.

Subject omission (watashi no) is common.

彼は歴史を専攻しています。

He is majoring in history.

Using the verb form 'senkou shite imasu'.

大学での専攻は何ですか？

What is your major at university?

Adding 'daigaku de no' for context.

彼女の専攻は音楽です。

Her major is music.

Possessive 'no' with a person.

専攻はまだ決まっていません。

I haven't decided my major yet.

Negative 'mada ...-te imasen'.

科学が私の専攻です。

Science is my major.

Particle 'ga' emphasizes the subject.

大学で経済を専攻しました。

I majored in economics at university.

Past tense verb form.

何を専攻したいですか？

What do you want to major in?

Desire form '-tai'.

姉は文学を専攻しています。

My older sister is majoring in literature.

Family member 'ane' as subject.

専攻を変えたいです。

I want to change my major.

Verb 'kaeru' (to change).

この大学では何を専攻できますか？

What can I major in at this university?

Potential form 'dekimasu'.

専攻は英語と中国語です。

My majors are English and Chinese.

Using 'to' for multiple items.

彼は有名な大学で医学を専攻している。

He is majoring in medicine at a famous university.

Plain form 'shite iru'.

あなたの専攻について教えてください。

Please tell me about your major.

Request form '-te kudasai'.

将来のために、ITを専攻することにしました。

I decided to major in IT for my future.

Deciding on an action: 'koto ni shimashita'.

専攻科目はとても難しいですが、面白いです。

My major subjects are very difficult, but interesting.

Compound noun 'senkou kamoku'.

どの分野を専攻するか、まだ迷っています。

I am still undecided about which field to major in.

Embedded question with 'ka'.

彼は心理学を専攻しているので、人の気持ちがよく分かります。

Since he is majoring in psychology, he understands people's feelings well.

Reason 'node'.

私の専攻は、あなたの仕事に役立ちますか？

Will my major be useful for your work?

Verb 'yakudatsu' (to be useful).

留学して、デザインを専攻したいと考えています。

I am thinking of studying abroad and majoring in design.

Humble intent 'to kangaete imasu'.

専攻以外の授業も受けてみたいです。

I want to try taking classes other than my major.

'Igai' (other than).

彼女は数学を専攻しているが、音楽も得意だ。

She is majoring in math, but she is also good at music.

Conjunction 'ga' (but).

大学院では、環境科学を専攻する予定です。

I plan to major in environmental science in graduate school.

'Yotei' (plan/schedule).

専攻分野における最新の研究について発表した。

I gave a presentation on the latest research in my field of specialization.

'Ni okeru' (in/at - formal).

面接では、なぜその専攻を選んだのか詳しく聞かれた。

In the interview, I was asked in detail why I chose that major.

Passive form 'kikareta'.

彼女の専攻は、社会学の中でも特に教育問題に焦点を当てている。

Her major focuses particularly on education issues within sociology.

'Shouten o ateru' (to focus on).

専攻と全く関係のない仕事に就く人も多い。

Many people take jobs that have nothing to do with their major.

'Mattaku kankei no nai' (totally unrelated).

彼は二つの学部でダブル専攻をしている。

He is doing a double major in two different faculties.

'Double senkou' (double major).

専攻の内容が実社会でどう役立つか考えなければならない。

We must consider how the content of our major will be useful in the real world.

Conditional 'nakereba naranai'.

その大学は、芸術専攻の学生に対して手厚いサポートを行っている。

That university provides generous support for students majoring in the arts.

'Ni taishite' (toward/for).

専攻の枠を超えて、多角的な視点から問題を考察する。

Go beyond the boundaries of one's major and consider the problem from multiple perspectives.

'Waku o koete' (beyond the frame/boundary).

彼は比較文学を専攻しており、複数の言語で資料を読み解く能力がある。

He majors in comparative literature and has the ability to decipher materials in multiple languages.

Formal verb 'yomitoku' (decipher).

専攻のミスマッチを防ぐために、事前のリサーチが不可欠だ。

Prior research is essential to prevent a mismatch in one's major.

'Fuketsu' (essential).

大学側は、学生の専攻選択における柔軟性を高めるべきだという声がある。

There are voices saying that universities should increase flexibility in students' choice of majors.

Reporting 'to iu koe ga aru'.

専攻分野の基礎知識を疎かにしては、高度な研究は望めない。

If you neglect the basic knowledge of your major, you cannot expect to conduct advanced research.

'Orosoka ni shite wa' (if you neglect).

この論文は、彼の専攻である量子力学の理論に基づいている。

This paper is based on the theory of quantum mechanics, which is his major.

'Ni motozuite iru' (based on).

専攻に特化した教育だけでなく、教養教育の重要性も見直されている。

The importance of liberal arts education, not just education specialized in a major, is being re-evaluated.

'Dake de naku' (not only).

彼は学際的なアプローチを好み、複数の専攻を融合させた研究を行っている。

He prefers an interdisciplinary approach and conducts research that fuses multiple majors.

'Gakusaiteki' (interdisciplinary).

専攻の純粋性を追求するあまり、隣接諸科学との対話が疎かになる傾向がある。

In the pursuit of the purity of one's major, there is a tendency to neglect dialogue with adjacent sciences.

'Amari' (so much that... negative result).

現代社会の複雑な諸課題は、単一の専攻による知見だけでは解決し得ない。

The complex challenges of modern society cannot be resolved solely with knowledge from a single major.

Potential 'shi-enai' (cannot do).

専攻の細分化が進む中で、いかにして知の統合を図るかが問われている。

As the fragmentation of majors progresses, the question of how to achieve the integration of knowledge is being asked.

'Toiwarete iru' (it is being questioned).

彼の専攻に対する情熱は、学術的探究の域を超えて、一種の使命感へと昇華されている。

His passion for his major has transcended the realm of academic inquiry and has been sublimated into a kind of sense of mission.

'Shouka' (sublimation).

専攻の選択は、個人のアイデンティティ形成において中核的な役割を果たす。

The choice of a major plays a core role in the formation of an individual's identity.

'Chuukakuteki' (core/central).

大学教育の形骸化が指摘される中、専攻の意義を再定義する必要がある。

As the trivialization of university education is pointed out, it is necessary to redefine the significance of a major.

'Keigaika' (becoming a mere shell/trivialization).

専攻分野の権威として、彼は学界に多大な影響を及ぼしてきた。

As an authority in his field of specialization, he has exerted a great influence on the academic world.

'Oyobosu' (to exert/cause).

専攻の垣根を低くし、学生が自由に学問を横断できる環境を構築すべきだ。

We should lower the barriers between majors and build an environment where students can freely cross academic disciplines.

'Kakine' (fence/barrier).

Sinónimos

専門学科主専攻専門分野専修

Antónimos

副専攻教養課程

Colocaciones comunes

専攻を決める

専攻を変える

専攻を活かす

専攻分野

専攻科目

大学での専攻

専攻課程

専攻生

専攻外

専攻を深める

Frases Comunes

専攻は何ですか？

— What is your major? The standard way to ask a student about their studies.

初めまして。専攻は何ですか？

〜を専攻しています

— I am majoring in [subject]. The standard way to state your current major.

私は物理を専攻しています。

専攻と関係ない

— Unrelated to one's major. Often used when discussing jobs or hobbies.

今の仕事は専攻と関係ない。

専攻を選ぶ

— To choose a major. A significant life decision for students.

どの専攻を選ぶか迷う。

専攻が同じ

— To have the same major. A common way to find peers.

彼とは専攻が同じです。

専攻の強み

— The strength of one's major. Used in job interviews.

専攻の強みをアピールする。

専攻を絞る

— To narrow down one's major/focus.

興味のある専攻を絞る。

専攻を極める

— To master one's major field of study.

一生かけて専攻を極める。

専攻の単位

— Credits for major subjects.

専攻の単位が足りない。

専攻への情熱

— Passion for one's major.

専攻への情熱を語る。

Se confunde a menudo con

専攻 vs 専門 (Senmon)

Senmon is general expertise; Senkou is specifically a university major.

専攻 vs 選考 (Senkou)

Same pronunciation, but means 'selection' or 'screening' (e.g., job selection).

専攻 vs 線香 (Senko)

Short 'o' sound; means 'incense stick'.

Modismos y expresiones

"門前の小僧、習わぬ経を読み"

— An apprentice near a temple learns to recite sutras without being taught. Used to describe someone who picks up knowledge from their environment, even if it's not their 'senkou'.

彼は専攻じゃないが、環境のおかげで詳しい。

Literary

"餅は餅屋"

— For rice cakes, go to the rice cake maker. Meaning: experts know best. Often used when deferring to someone's 'senkou'.

修理は彼に任せよう。餅は餅屋だ。

Common

"二足のわらじ"

— Wearing two pairs of straw sandals. Having two 'majors' or two distinct professional roles.

彼は医者と作家、二足のわらじを履いている。

Common

"多芸は無芸"

— Many talents, no talent. Jack of all trades, master of none. The opposite of having a focused 'senkou'.

専攻を一つに絞るべきだ。多芸は無芸だよ。

Proverb

"一芸に秀でる"

— To excel in one art/skill. Similar to excelling in a 'senkou'.

彼は数学という一芸に秀でている。

Formal

"穴を掘る"

— To dig a hole. Metaphorically, to dig deep into a subject of study.

自分の専攻を深く掘り下げる。

Casual

"畑違い"

— From a different field/farm. Used when someone is working outside their 'senkou'.

この仕事は私には畑違いです。

Common

"専門外"

— Outside one's specialty. Very similar to 'senkou-gai'.

それは私の専門外です。

Neutral

"看板を掲げる"

— To hang a sign. To publicly declare one's 'senkou' or specialty.

心理学の看板を掲げて開業する。

Idiomatic

"筋がいい"

— To have good potential/aptitude in a field.

彼はこの専攻に向いている。筋がいい。

Casual

Fácil de confundir

専攻 vs 選考

Identical pronunciation (senkou).

選考 means selection (like in a contest or job hiring), while 専攻 means academic major.

書類選考を通った。 (I passed the document screening.)

専攻 vs 専門

Similar meaning (specialty).

専門 is broader and can be used for hobbies or jobs. 専攻 is strictly for university degrees.

彼の専門は中華料理だ。 (His specialty is Chinese food.)

専攻 vs 学科

Both relate to university subjects.

学科 is the administrative department (e.g., Department of Physics). 専攻 is the subject the student majors in.

物理学科の学生です。 (I am a student of the Physics Department.)

専攻 vs 科目

Both are things you study.

科目 refers to a specific course or class (e.g., Calculus). 専攻 is the whole major (e.g., Mathematics).

今日の科目は英語だ。 (Today's subject is English.)

専攻 vs 先行

Identical pronunciation (senkou).

先行 means 'preceding' or 'going ahead'.

先行予約を受け付ける。 (We are taking advance reservations.)

Patrones de oraciones

私の専攻は[Subject]です。

私の専攻は英語です。

[Subject]を専攻しています。

経済を専攻しています。

[Reason]ので、[Subject]を専攻しました。

好きなので、歴史を専攻しました。

専攻分野は[Subject]です。

専攻分野は心理学です。

[Subject]を専攻する学生として、[Opinion]。

法学を専攻する学生として、このニュースは気になります。

専攻の枠組みにとらわれず、[Action]。

専攻の枠組みにとらわれず、幅広く学びたい。

専攻は何ですか？

大学での専攻は何ですか？

専攻を[Action]したいです。

専攻を変えたいです。

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

専攻 (Major)

専攻生 (Student of a major)

専攻科 (Major course)

主専攻 (Main major)

副専攻 (Minor)

Verbos

専攻する (To major in)

Adjetivos

専攻の (Of/related to a major)

Relacionado

専門 (Specialty)

学科 (Department)

学部 (Faculty)

単位 (Credit)

研究 (Research)

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Very high in academic and early-career professional contexts.

Errores comunes

Using 'senkou' for high school subjects. → Tokui na kamoku (Subjects I'm good at).
Senkou implies a level of specialization found only in higher education.
Saying '[Subject] ni senkou suru'. → [Subject] o senkou suru.
In Japanese, the subject you major in is the direct object of the verb.
Confusing 'senkou' with 'senmon' for professional skills. → Senmon is for expertise; Senkou is for degrees.
If you are a self-taught programmer, coding is your 'senmon', but not your 'senkou'.
Shortening the final vowel (Senko). → Senkou (long o).
Shortening the vowel can make it sound like 'incense' or simply incorrect.
Using 'senkou' for a hobby. → Shumi (Hobby).
Senkou is strictly academic and institutional.

Consejos

The Academic Attack

Remember the second kanji 攻 means 'attack'. You are 'attacking' your major with all your focus!

Particle Choice

Always use 'o' with the verb form: [Subject] o senkou suru. Don't use 'ni' even though we say 'major IN' in English.

Job Hunting Key

In Japan, 'senkou' is a top question in job interviews. Be ready to explain yours even if applying for an unrelated job.

Senkou vs Senmon

Senkou = University Major. Senmon = General Expertise. Don't mix them up!

Long Vowel

Make sure the 'ou' in senkou is long. A short 'o' can change the meaning or sound unnatural.

Kanji Practice

Practice writing 専 and 攻 together. They both appear in many other useful words like 専門 and 攻撃.

University Only

Only use this word for university, grad school, or vocational college. It's too formal for lower schools.

Icebreaker

Asking about someone's 'senkou' is one of the best ways to start a conversation with a Japanese student.

Resume Tip

On a Japanese resume (Rirekisho), your 'senkou' should be listed clearly under your education history.

Compound Nouns

Learn 'senkou分野' (field) and 'senkou科目' (subject) to sound more like a native speaker.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of a 'SENtry' (SEN) 'COming' (KOU) to university to 'attack' their books. SEN-KOU.

Asociación visual

Imagine a student in a lab coat (specialist) holding a sword (kou/attack) pointed at a giant textbook (the major).

Word Web

University Major Study Degree Expert Department Career Focus

Desafío

Try to introduce yourself in Japanese, including your real or desired major, using the phrase 'Watashi no senkou wa [Major] desu.'

Origen de la palabra

Composed of two Sino-Japanese characters (Kanji). 'Sen' (専) means exclusive or dedicated, and 'Kou' (攻) means to attack or study intensely. Together, they imply 'attacking' a specific subject exclusively.

Significado original: To focus all of one's efforts on a single study or research field.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Contexto cultural

Be aware that not everyone has had the opportunity to go to university; use 'senmon' (specialty) instead if you want to ask about someone's skills in a more inclusive way.

In the US/UK, 'major' is the standard term. In some UK contexts, 'reading a subject' (e.g., 'I'm reading Law') is used, which is similar in formality to 'senkou'.

The 'Noitamina' anime 'The Tatami Galaxy' features a protagonist constantly worrying about his choice of major and university life. In many J-Dramas, the 'medical major' or 'law major' is a trope for a high-status character. The song 'Gakusei Gai no Kissa-ten' refers to the atmosphere of students discussing their majors in cafes.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

University Self-Introduction

専攻は〜です。
〜を専攻しています。
〜学部に所属しています。
専攻を選んだ理由は〜です。

Job Interview

専攻で学んだことを活かしたい。
私の専攻は御社の業務に役立ちます。
専攻分野は〜です。
大学時代の専攻についてお話しします。

Academic Conference

専攻分野の動向について。
私の専攻は〜の理論です。
〜を専攻する研究者です。
専攻の枠を超えた議論。

Filling out Forms

専攻名 (Major name)
専攻課程 (Major course)
主専攻/副専攻
専攻分野の記入。

Casual Mixer/Party

専攻は何？
専攻、一緒だね！
専攻の話は抜きにしよう。
何の専攻が一番モテる？

Inicios de conversación

"大学では何を専攻されているんですか？ (What are you majoring in at university?)"

"なぜその専攻を選んだのか、興味があります。 (I'm interested in why you chose that major.)"

"専攻の内容は、今の仕事にどう関係していますか？ (How is the content of your major related to your current job?)"

"もし専攻を変えられるとしたら、何にしますか？ (If you could change your major, what would it be?)"

"あなたの大学で一番人気の専攻は何ですか？ (What is the most popular major at your university?)"

Temas para diario

自分の専攻を選んだ理由と、その決断に満足しているか書いてみましょう。 (Write about why you chose your major and if you are satisfied with that decision.)

専攻分野で一番面白いと感じていることは何ですか？ (What do you find most interesting in your field of specialization?)

将来、自分の専攻をどのように社会に役立てたいですか？ (How do you want to use your major to help society in the future?)

専攻以外の分野で、新しく学んでみたいことはありますか？ (Is there a new field outside your major that you would like to study?)

もし自分が教授だったら、自分の専攻をどのように学生に教えますか？ (If you were a professor, how would you teach your major to students?)

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Generally, no. In Japan, high school students follow a standard curriculum. Use 'tokui na kamoku' (subject I'm good at) instead. 'Senkou' is reserved for higher education like universities or vocational colleges.

Think of 'senkou' as your degree title (Major) and 'senmon' as your expertise. A doctor's 'senkou' was medicine, but their 'senmon' might be pediatrics. 'Senmon' is broader and used throughout life.

You can say 'daburu senkou' (ダブル専攻) or 'nijuu senkou' (二重専攻). It is becoming more common in Japan, though the traditional system often focused on a single major.

Yes, it is a neutral-to-formal word. It is perfectly appropriate for use with teachers, bosses, and strangers. In very casual talk with friends, you might just use 'nani yatteru no?' (what are you doing/studying?).

No. If you study photography as a hobby, you should use 'shumi' (hobby) or 'senmon' if you are very good at it. Using 'senkou' implies you are in a formal degree program.

A 'senkou-sei' is a student who is officially enrolled in a specific major. It is often used to distinguish between general students and those focused on a particular research area.

The most polite way is 'Gosenkou wa nan desu ka?' (Adding the honorific 'go' to the beginning of senkou). In standard polite Japanese, '専攻は何ですか？' is fine.

Yes, it is a suru-verb. You can say 'Eigo o senkou suru' (to major in English). Remember to use the particle 'o' for the subject you are studying.

It means 'outside of one's major.' For example, 'senkou-gai no jugyou' means a class that is not part of your major's required curriculum.

Yes, especially when talking about your background. However, once you have many years of experience, people will care more about your 'senmon' (professional expertise) than your 'senkou' (university major).

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