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.
| Subject | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji | JLPT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 数学 | すうがく | suugaku | N3 |
| Science | 科学 | かがく | kagaku | N3 |
| Japanese Language | 国語 | こくご | kokugo | N3 |
| English Language | 英語 | えいご | eigo | N4 |
| History | 歴史 | れきし | rekishi | N3 |
| Geography | 地理 | ちり | chiri | N2 |
| Music | 音楽 | おんがく | ongaku | N4 |
| Art | 美術 | びじゅつ | bijutsu | N2 |
| Physical Education | 体育 | たいいく | taiiku | N3 |
| Social Studies | 社会 | しゃかい | shakai | N3 |
| General Science | 理科 | りか | rika | N2 |
| Literature | 文学 | ぶんがく | bungaku | N3 |
| Biology | 生物 | せいぶつ | seibutsu | N2 |
| Physics | 物理 | ぶつり | butsuri | N2 |
| Chemistry | 化学 | かがく | kagaku | N2 |
| Arithmetic | 算数 | さんすう | sansuu | N2 |
| Home Economics | 家庭科 | かていか | katei-ka | N2 |
| Technology | 技術 | ぎじゅつ | gijutsu | N3 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Example:
小学生は算数を勉強します。
Shougakusei wa sansuu wo benkyou shimasu.
Elementary students study arithmetic.
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.
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.
Japan's science and math curriculum is rigorous. Students study these subjects from elementary school through high school, with increasing difficulty at each level.
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.
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.
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).
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.
| Compound | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 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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