Translation guide
The English word "major" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: academic major, something large or important, a military rank, and music key.
To talk about one's main field of study at university.
The standard word for academic major. Used as a noun or with する to mean 'to major in'.
私の専攻は経済学です。
My major is economics.
大学で何を専攻していますか。
What are you majoring in at university?
Verb pattern meaning 'to major in ~'.
彼は歴史を専攻している。
He is majoring in history.
To describe something as major in size, importance, or impact.
Prenominal adjective meaning 'big' or 'major'. Used before nouns. Common and natural for 'major problem', 'major change', etc.
それは大きな問題だ。
That's a major problem.
大きな変化がありました。
There has been a major change.
Means 'main', 'principal', or 'major'. Slightly more formal. Used for 'major role', 'major factor', etc.
彼は主要な役割を果たした。
He played a major role.
Means 'serious', 'grave', or 'major'. Used for negative events like accidents, mistakes, or problems.
重大な事故が起きた。
A major accident occurred.
To refer to the military rank of major.
The standard translation for the rank of major in the army, air force, or marines.
彼は少佐に昇進した。
He was promoted to major.
To describe a musical key as major (as opposed to minor).
Used after the key name to indicate major key. For example, C major is ハ長調.
この曲はハ長調です。
This piece is in C major.
Loanword from English, used in music contexts. Often combined with key names, e.g., Cメジャー.
The loanword メジャー is not used for academic major. Use 専攻 instead.
専攻は何ですか。
What is your major?
Please play a C major chord.