Translation guide
In Japanese school life, 'club activities' (bukatsu) are a major part of student culture. This guide covers how to talk about clubs, joining, participating, and related expressions.
Referring to extracurricular club activities at school
The most common abbreviation for 'club activities' in school contexts. Used in daily conversation.
部活は何に入ってるの？
What club are you in?
明日は部活があるから早く帰れない。
I have club activities tomorrow, so I can't go home early.
A more formal term, often used in official contexts or when speaking to people outside the school.
本校ではクラブ活動が盛んです。
Club activities are thriving at our school.
The full formal term, used in rules, surveys, or official documents.
部活動のガイドラインを確認してください。
Please check the club activity guidelines.
Expressing the action of joining or being in a club
Standard way to say 'join a club'. Use 入っている for 'I am in a club'.
高校に入ったら、テニス部に入りたい。
When I enter high school, I want to join the tennis club.
彼はサッカー部に入っています。
He is in the soccer club.
Literally 'start club activities', used when beginning participation.
今年からバスケ部を始めました。
I started basketball club this year.
Referring to the actual activity time of a club
Means 'practice', used for sports or music clubs.
今日の部活は練習がきつかった。
Today's club practice was tough.
General term for 'activities', can refer to club meetings or events.
Explaining that club activities take up time
Common phrase meaning 'busy with club activities'.
最近、部活で忙しくて勉強ができない。
Lately I've been so busy with club activities that I can't study.
Talking about quitting or retiring from club activities, often before exams
Used when students retire from club activities, typically in their final year to focus on exams.
3年生は夏に部活を引退します。
Third-year students retire from club activities in the summer.
Casual way to say 'quit a club', can be used anytime.
部活をやめたいんだけど、どう言えばいい？
I want to quit my club, but how should I say it?
部活 (bukatsu) refers to school-based club activities, often with strict practice schedules. サークル (sākuru) is used for university clubs or casual hobby groups, which are more relaxed.
大学ではサークルに入ろうと思っています。
I'm thinking of joining a circle at university.
Club names are usually formed by adding 部 (ぶ) to the activity: テニス部 (tennis club), 吹奏楽部 (brass band club). For cultural clubs, 部 or 同好会 (どうこうかい) may be used.
文化部の活動は放課後に行われます。
Culture club activities are held after school.