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Japanese School Subjects Kanji: Learn Academic Vocabulary in Japanese

Master Japanese school subject kanji: 数学 (suugaku/mathematics), 科学 (kagaku/science), 歴史 (rekishi/history), 英語 (eigo/English), 音楽 (ongaku/music), and more. Each kanji includes readings, example sentences, and context for everyday Japanese education vocabulary.

Japanese School Subjects at a Glance

教科 (Kyouka): School Subjects

Japanese school subjects (教科 kyouka) are written with kanji compound words. Most are two-character combinations that describe the field of study; for example, 数学 literally means "number study" (mathematics).

Japanese Education System

Japan's education includes 6 years of elementary (小学校), 3 years of junior high (中学校), and 3 years of high school (高校). All students study the same core subjects, making this vocabulary essential.

JLPT Relevance

Many school subject kanji appear in JLPT N4-N3 levels. Individual characters like 学 (study), 語 (language), and 科 (subject) are common building blocks used across many compound words.

Core Japanese School Subject Kanji

These eighteen kanji cover the main school subjects taught in Japanese schools, from mathematics and science to art and physical education.

SubjectKanjiHiraganaRomajiJLPT
Mathematics数学すうがくsuugakuN3
Science科学かがくkagakuN3
Japanese Language国語こくごkokugoN3
English Language英語えいごeigoN4
History歴史れきしrekishiN3
Geography地理ちりchiriN2
Music音楽おんがくongakuN4
Art美術びじゅつbijutsuN2
Physical Education体育たいいくtaiikuN3
Social Studies社会しゃかいshakaiN3
General Science理科りかrikaN2
Literature文学ぶんがくbungakuN3
Biology生物せいぶつseibutsuN2
Physics物理ぶつりbutsuriN2
Chemistry化学かがくkagakuN2
Arithmetic算数さんすうsansuuN2
Home Economics家庭科かていかkatei-kaN2
Technology技術ぎじゅつgijutsuN3

All Japanese School Subjects Explained

Explore each school subject kanji compound with its readings, on'yomi/kun'yomi breakdown, and example sentences used in everyday Japanese.

📊
数学
Mathematics
すうがく (suugaku)
Literal meaning: 数 (number) + 学 (study) = "number study"

Example:

数学のテストは来週の月曜日です。

Suugaku no tesuto wa raishuu no getsuyoubi desu.

The math test is next Monday.

🔬
科学
Science
かがく (kagaku)
Literal meaning: 科 (subject/department) + 学 (study) = "subject study"

Example:

科学の実験はとても面白いです。

Kagaku no jikken wa totemo omoshiroi desu.

Science experiments are very interesting.

📖
国語
Japanese Language
こくご (kokugo)
Literal meaning: 国 (country) + 語 (language) = "country's language"

Example:

国語の授業で漢字を勉強します。

Kokugo no jugyou de kanji wo benkyou shimasu.

We study kanji in Japanese language class.

🇬🇧
英語
English Language
えいご (eigo)
Literal meaning: 英 (England/excellent) + 語 (language) = "English language"

Example:

英語の先生はアメリカ人です。

Eigo no sensei wa Amerika-jin desu.

The English teacher is American.

📜
歴史
History
れきし (rekishi)
Literal meaning: 歴 (passage of time) + 史 (history/chronicle) = "passage of history"

Example:

日本の歴史に興味があります。

Nihon no rekishi ni kyoumi ga arimasu.

I am interested in Japanese history.

🌍
地理
Geography
ちり (chiri)
Literal meaning: 地 (earth/ground) + 理 (logic/reason) = "earth logic"

Example:

地理の授業で世界の地図を見ました。

Chiri no jugyou de sekai no chizu wo mimashita.

We looked at a world map in geography class.

🎵
音楽
Music
おんがく (ongaku)
Literal meaning: 音 (sound) + 楽 (enjoyment/comfort) = "sound enjoyment"

Example:

音楽の時間にピアノを弾きます。

Ongaku no jikan ni piano wo hikimasu.

I play piano during music class.

🖌
美術
Art / Fine Arts
びじゅつ (bijutsu)
Literal meaning: 美 (beauty) + 術 (technique/art) = "beauty technique"

Example:

美術の授業で絵を描きました。

Bijutsu no jugyou de e wo kakimashita.

I drew a picture in art class.

🏃
体育
Physical Education
たいいく (taiiku)
Literal meaning: 体 (body) + 育 (nurture/grow) = "body nurturing"

Example:

体育の授業でサッカーをしました。

Taiiku no jugyou de sakkaa wo shimashita.

We played soccer in PE class.

🏫
社会
Social Studies
しゃかい (shakai)
Literal meaning: 社 (society/shrine) + 会 (meet/association) = "society/association"

Example:

社会の授業で選挙について学びました。

Shakai no jugyou de senkyo ni tsuite manabimashita.

We learned about elections in social studies.

🧪
理科
General Science
りか (rika)
Literal meaning: 理 (logic/reason) + 科 (subject/department) = "logic subject"

Example:

理科の実験で水の温度を測りました。

Rika no jikken de mizu no ondo wo hakarimashita.

We measured water temperature in science lab.

📚
文学
Literature
ぶんがく (bungaku)
Literal meaning: 文 (writing/text) + 学 (study) = "writing study"

Example:

日本文学の授業で夏目漱石を読みます。

Nihon bungaku no jugyou de Natsume Souseki wo yomimasu.

We read Natsume Soseki in Japanese literature class.

🧬
生物
Biology
せいぶつ (seibutsu)
Literal meaning: 生 (life/living) + 物 (thing) = "living thing"

Example:

生物の授業で細胞を観察しました。

Seibutsu no jugyou de saibou wo kansatsu shimashita.

We observed cells in biology class.

⚛
物理
Physics
ぶつり (butsuri)
Literal meaning: 物 (thing) + 理 (logic/reason) = "thing logic"

Example:

物理の問題は難しいですが、面白いです。

Butsuri no mondai wa muzukashii desu ga, omoshiroi desu.

Physics problems are difficult but interesting.

⚗
化学
Chemistry
かがく (kagaku)
Literal meaning: 化 (change/transform) + 学 (study) = "change study"

Example:

化学の実験で水素を作りました。

Kagaku no jikken de suiso wo tsukurimashita.

We produced hydrogen in chemistry lab.

🔢
算数
Arithmetic
さんすう (sansuu)
Literal meaning: 算 (calculate) + 数 (number) = "calculate numbers"

Example:

小学生は算数を勉強します。

Shougakusei wa sansuu wo benkyou shimasu.

Elementary students study arithmetic.

🏠
家庭科
Home Economics
かていか (katei-ka)
Literal meaning: 家 (home) + 庭 (garden/yard) + 科 (subject) = "household subject"

Example:

家庭科の授業で料理を作りました。

Katei-ka no jugyou de ryouri wo tsukurimashita.

We cooked food in home economics class.

💻
技術
Technology
ぎじゅつ (gijutsu)
Literal meaning: 技 (skill/technique) + 術 (art/method) = "skill method"

Example:

技術の授業でプログラミングを学びます。

Gijutsu no jugyou de puroguramingu wo manabimasu.

We learn programming in technology class.

School Subjects by Category

Japanese school subjects can be grouped into categories. Understanding these groupings helps you see patterns in how kanji compounds are formed.

📐
Sciences & Math
理数系 (risuu-kei)

Japan's science and math curriculum is rigorous. Students study these subjects from elementary school through high school, with increasing difficulty at each level.

📊 数学 suugaku🔬 科学 kagaku🧪 理科 rika🧬 生物 seibutsu
📚
Languages & Humanities
文系 (bun-kei)

Language and humanities subjects form the core of Japanese education. 国語 (Japanese language) is the most important subject, teaching kanji, grammar, and classical literature.

📖 国語 kokugo🇬🇧 英語 eigo📜 歴史 rekishi🌍 地理 chiri
🎨
Arts & Culture
芸術系 (geijutsu-kei)

Creative subjects are valued in Japanese schools. Music education includes both Western and traditional Japanese instruments, while art classes cover calligraphy (書道 shodou) as well.

🎵 音楽 ongaku🖌 美術 bijutsu🏠 家庭科 katei-ka🖊 書道 shodou
⚽
Physical & Practical
実技系 (jitsugi-kei)

Physical education (体育 taiiku) is a daily fixture in Japanese schools. Students also study practical subjects like technology and moral education (道徳 doutoku).

🏃 体育 taiiku💻 技術 gijutsu🧭 道徳 doutoku🏫 社会 shakai

School-Related Compound Words (Jukugo)

These compound words extend beyond subject names to cover common school vocabulary. Many use the same kanji building blocks found in subject names.

CompoundReadingMeaning
教科書きょうかしょ (kyoukasho)Textbook: "teaching subject writing"
時間割じかんわり (jikanwari)Timetable/schedule: "time division"
宿題しゅくだい (shukudai)Homework: "lodging topic"
試験しけん (shiken)Exam/test: "attempt verification"
教室きょうしつ (kyoushitsu)Classroom: "teaching room"
成績せいせき (seiseki)Grades/results: "achievement record"
勉強べんきょう (benkyou)Study: "effort/strength"
授業じゅぎょう (jugyou)Class/lesson: "bestow work"
先生せんせい (sensei)Teacher: "person born before"
卒業そつぎょう (sotsugyou)Graduation: "finish work"

Tips for Remembering Japanese School Subject Kanji

Learn the Building Blocks

Many subjects share common kanji: 学 (study/learning) appears in 数学, 科学, and 文学. 語 (language) appears in 英語, 国語, and 外国語. Master these building blocks and you'll recognize new subjects instantly.

Understand the Literal Meanings

Japanese subject names are logically constructed: 数学 = "number study" (math), 地理 = "earth logic" (geography), 音楽 = "sound enjoyment" (music). Understanding the literal meaning makes each compound memorable.

Create a Schedule

Write a mock Japanese school timetable (時間割 jikanwari) using subject kanji. Associating subjects with specific days and times reinforces both the kanji and the vocabulary naturally.

Collect Subject Cards

Use our gamified card collection to master school subject kanji. Earn XP, level up, and build your personal Jisho dictionary with every kanji you learn.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main school subjects in Japanese?

The core subjects in Japanese schools are: 国語 (kokugo/Japanese), 数学 (suugaku/math), 英語 (eigo/English), 理科 (rika/science), 社会 (shakai/social studies), 音楽 (ongaku/music), 美術 (bijutsu/art), 体育 (taiiku/PE), and 家庭科 (katei-ka/home economics).

What is the difference between 算数 (sansuu) and 数学 (suugaku)?

算数 (sansuu/arithmetic) is used for math in elementary school (grades 1-6), focusing on basic calculations. 数学 (suugaku/mathematics) is used from junior high school onward, covering algebra, geometry, and more advanced topics.

What is the difference between 科学 (kagaku) and 化学 (kagaku)?

Both are pronounced "kagaku" but mean different things! 科学 means "science" (general), while 化学 means "chemistry." To distinguish them verbally, Japanese speakers sometimes call chemistry "bakegaku" (using the kun'yomi reading of 化).

What is 国語 (kokugo)?

国語 (kokugo) literally means "national language" and refers to the Japanese language subject taught in schools. It covers reading, writing, grammar, kanji study, and classical Japanese literature (古文 kobun). It is the equivalent of "Language Arts" or "English class" in Western schools.

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