Translation guide
In Japanese school life, 'club activities' (bukatsu) are a major part of student culture. This guide covers how to talk about clubs, joining, participating, and related expressions.
Referring to extracurricular club activities at school
The most common abbreviation for 'club activities' in school contexts. Used in daily conversation.
What club are you in?
I have club activities tomorrow, so I can't go home early.
A more formal term, often used in official contexts or when speaking to people outside the school.
Club activities are thriving at our school.
The full formal term, used in rules, surveys, or official documents.
Please check the club activity guidelines.
Expressing the action of joining or being in a club
Referring to the actual activity time of a club
Explaining that club activities take up time
Common phrase meaning 'busy with club activities'.
Lately I've been so busy with club activities that I can't study.
Talking about quitting or retiring from club activities, often before exams
部活 (bukatsu) refers to school-based club activities, often with strict practice schedules. サークル (sākuru) is used for university clubs or casual hobby groups, which are more relaxed.
I'm thinking of joining a circle at university.
Club names are usually formed by adding 部 (ぶ) to the activity: テニス部 (tennis club), 吹奏楽部 (brass band club). For cultural clubs, 部 or 同好会 (どうこうかい) may be used.
文化部の活動は放課後に行われます。
Culture club activities are held after school.