Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of a 'required subject' in school is expressed differently depending on whether you mean a compulsory course, a mandatory topic, or a prerequisite. The most common and natural way is to use 必修科目 (hisshū kamoku) for formal academic contexts, or simply describe it as 必ず取らなければならない科目 (kanarazu toranakereba naranai kamoku) in everyday speech.
Expressing that a subject is mandatory in an academic curriculum.
Standard term for a required subject in school or university. Used in formal and academic contexts.
数学は必修科目です。
Mathematics is a required subject.
この大学では英語が必修科目になっています。
At this university, English is a required subject.
A more descriptive phrase meaning 'a subject you must take'. Natural in conversation but less concise.
この科目は必ず取らなければならない科目ですか？
Is this a required subject?
Short for 必修科目. Often used in compounds like 必修単位 (required credits).
これは必修ですか？
Is this required?
A subject that must be completed before taking another course.
Formal term for a prerequisite subject in academic settings.
この授業を受けるには前提科目を修了している必要があります。
You need to have completed the prerequisite subject to take this class.
Descriptive phrase meaning 'a subject you need to take beforehand'. More conversational.
この科目は事前に取っておく必要がある科目です。
This is a subject you need to take beforehand.
A subject area that is mandatory, not necessarily a single course.
Sometimes used interchangeably with 必修科目, but can imply an absolute necessity. Less common in school contexts.
安全管理は全社員の必須科目です。
Safety management is a required subject for all employees.
必修科目 (required subject) is the opposite of 選択科目 (elective subject). In Japanese schools, students take both types.
Do not translate 'required subject' word-for-word as 要求された科目 (yōkyū sareta kamoku). That sounds unnatural and means 'requested subject'.