Translation guide
Expresses membership, ownership, or being part of a group, organization, or place. Japanese uses different constructions depending on whether the subject is a person, object, or abstract concept.
To say that someone is a member of a club, team, company, school, etc.
Formal and clear way to state affiliation. Common in professional and academic contexts.
彼は営業部に所属しています。
He belongs to the sales department.
Casual and direct. Suitable for clubs, teams, and informal groups.
私はテニス部のメンバーです。
I belong to the tennis club.
Common in spoken Japanese. Implies joining and being a current member.
サッカーチームに入っています。
I belong to a soccer team.
To indicate that something is owned by or belongs to a person.
Standard way to say something belongs to someone. Use with possessive particle の.
この本は私のものです。
This book belongs to me.
Shortened form of のものだ. Very common in casual speech.
その傘、誰の？
Whose umbrella is that? (Who does that umbrella belong to?)
To say that something is located in or classified under a certain place, category, or system.
Formal and often used for abstract categories, classifications, or domains.
この島は日本に属しています。
This island belongs to Japan.
Emphasizes being a part of a larger whole. Natural in both speech and writing.
この地域は国立公園の一部です。
This area belongs to the national park.
To express that someone feels they are accepted or naturally part of a group or place.
Literally 'have a place to be'. Conveys a sense of belonging and acceptance.
ここが私の居場所だと思う。
I feel like I belong here.
Means 'blend in' or 'fit in'. Used when someone has become part of a community.
彼は新しい学校にすっかり溶け込んだ。
He really belongs to his new school now.
Using 属する for a person's membership can sound overly formal or bureaucratic. For clubs and teams, use 所属している or 入っている instead.
私はテニス部に所属しています。
I belong to the tennis club.