How to say "club" in Japanese
A school "club" in Japanese is 部活 (bukatsu), and a specific club uses 部 (bu): テニス部 (tennis club). At university, clubs are often called サークル (sākuru).
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Ways to say "club" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 部活ぶかつ · bukatsu | School club activity. |
| クラブくらぶ · kurabu | Club (sports club, nightclub). |
| 〜部〜ぶ · bu | Club (at school), as in soccer club. |
| サークルさーくる · sākuru | University club. |
How to use it
クラブ (kurabu) is used for sports clubs and gyms, and also means a nightclub.
Junior high and high school students in Japan often spend many hours a week on 部活.
Example sentences
- 高校ではサッカー部でした。Kōkō de wa sakkā bu deshita.I was in the soccer club in high school.
- 娘は毎日部活で忙しいです。Musume wa mainichi bukatsu de isogashii desu.My daughter is busy with club activities every day.
- 大学でテニスのサークルに入りました。Daigaku de tenisu no sākuru ni hairimashita.I joined a tennis club in college.
- 会社の近くのスポーツクラブに通っています。Kaisha no chikaku no supōtsu kurabu ni kayotte imasu.I go to a sports club near the office.
- 何部に入っていましたか。Nanbu ni haitte imashita ka.What club were you in?
- 部活は夕方六時までです。Bukatsu wa yūgata rokuji made desu.Club activities go until 6 p.m.
Questions
What is 部活?
部活 (bukatsu), short for 部活動, is an after-school club activity in Japanese junior high and high schools, such as sports teams or music clubs.
What is the difference between 部活 and サークル?
部活 is a school club, usually serious and regular. サークル (sākuru) is a university club, often more casual.
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