Translation guide
The English word 'department' refers to a specialized division within an organization, a store section, or an academic unit. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 部署 (ぶしょ) for workplace divisions, but the best translation depends heavily on context.
A section or unit within a company, organization, or government body responsible for a specific function.
The most general and common term for a department in a company or organization. It refers to any organizational unit with a specific function.
彼は営業部署に配属された。
He was assigned to the sales department.
どの部署で働いていますか。
Which department do you work in?
Often used as a suffix in department names (e.g., 営業部, 人事部). It implies a larger or more formal unit than 課.
人事部に問い合わせてください。
Please contact the human resources department.
A smaller subdivision within a 部, like a section or team. Common in government and corporate hierarchies.
経理課の田中さんです。
This is Mr. Tanaka from the accounting department.
Refers to a department or division, often in a broader sense, such as a business unit or sector. Can be used in both corporate and academic contexts.
この部門の売上が伸びている。
Sales in this department are growing.
A specific area within a store or supermarket that sells a particular type of goods.
The most natural term for a department or section in a store where goods are sold. Often combined with the product name.
紳士服売り場はどこですか。
Where is the men's clothing department?
食品売り場で買い物をした。
I shopped in the food department.
Literally 'corner', used for a smaller or specialized section within a store, like a 'corner' for a specific brand or product type.
A division of a university or school devoted to a particular academic discipline.
Refers to a department or course of study within a university faculty. It is the standard term for academic departments.
彼は経済学科の学生です。
He is a student in the economics department.
Refers to a faculty or school within a university, which may contain multiple departments (学科). Sometimes used interchangeably with 'department' in English.
A high-level administrative division of government, often translated as 'ministry' or 'department' in English.
Used for central government ministries in Japan (e.g., 文部科学省, Ministry of Education). In some contexts, 'department' may be used in English, but 'ministry' is more common.
外務省は霞が関にある。
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in Kasumigaseki.
Used for agencies or offices within the government, such as the National Police Agency (警察庁). Sometimes translated as 'department'.
消防庁が災害対応にあたった。
The Fire Department responded to the disaster.
A metaphorical use referring to someone's area of expertise or responsibility, as in 'that's not my department'.
Literally 'outside one's responsibility'. Used to say something is not one's job or area.
それは私の担当外です。
That's not my department.
Means 'outside one's specialty'. Used when something is not within one's area of expertise.
その質問は私の専門外です。
That question is outside my department.
部署 (ぶしょ) is the safest generic term for a workplace department. 部門 (ぶもん) is broader, often used for divisions or sectors. 部 (ぶ) and 課 (か) are specific hierarchical levels: 部 is larger, 課 is a subsection. Use 部署 when unsure.
新しい部署に異動になった。
I was transferred to a new department.
The English term 'department store' is デパート (depāto) in Japanese, not a direct translation using 部署 or 売り場. Do not say 部署の店.
週末にデパートに行った。
I went to the department store on the weekend.
化粧品コーナーで新製品を見つけた。
I found a new product in the cosmetics department.
The Faculty of Letters has several departments.