Translation guide
The English word "division" covers several distinct concepts. This guide breaks them down into practical meanings and shows how to express each naturally in Japanese.
The act of dividing something into smaller parts or groups.
General term for dividing something into parts, often used for physical objects, data, or tasks.
土地を3つに分割した。
We divided the land into three parts.
Everyday verb for dividing or separating things. Very common and versatile.
クラスを2つのグループに分けた。
We divided the class into two groups.
Division into categories or sections, often used in formal or administrative contexts.
この書類は年度ごとに区分されている。
These documents are divided by fiscal year.
A distinct part of a company, government, or institution.
Common suffix for a department or division in a company (e.g., 営業部 = sales division).
彼は人事部に所属している。
He belongs to the personnel division.
A smaller unit than 部, often translated as 'section' but can correspond to 'division' in some organizations.
経理課に問い合わせてください。
Please contact the accounting division.
A broader term for a division or sector, often used in business contexts.
The arithmetic operation of dividing one number by another.
The standard term for division as a math operation.
割り算の宿題をやった。
I did my division homework.
Formal mathematical term for division, used in academic contexts.
A situation where people disagree or are divided in their views.
A split or division, often used for groups, organizations, or opinions.
党内に分裂が生じた。
A division arose within the party.
Confrontation or conflict, often implying a division of opinions or interests.
Discrepancy or divergence, often used for differences in views or data.
A large military formation, typically consisting of several brigades or regiments.
Standard term for a military division.
第1師団が前線に配置された。
The 1st Division was deployed to the front line.
A level of competition in sports, such as a league division.
Loanword used in sports contexts, e.g., '1st division'.
彼のチームは2部ディビジョンで優勝した。
His team won the 2nd division.
Used with numbers to indicate divisions in sports leagues (e.g., 1部リーグ = 1st division league).
このチームは1部リーグに所属している。
This team belongs to the 1st division league.
When referring to a department in a company, do not directly translate 'division' as 分割 (which means splitting). Use 部, 課, or 部門 depending on the context.
営業部
Sales Division
We launched a new business division.
Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are called the four arithmetic operations.
意見の対立が深まった。
The division of opinions deepened.
両者の主張に食い違いがある。
There is a division between their claims.