Translation guide
The English word "faculty" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: the academic staff of a university, a natural mental or physical ability, and a department within a university. It also touches on less common uses like a license or authorization.
Referring to the teaching and research staff of a university or college as a collective body.
Refers specifically to the faculty as an organized body, often in the context of meetings or decisions. It implies the collective of professors.
教授会で新しいカリキュラムが承認された。
The new curriculum was approved by the faculty.
A general term for teaching staff, from elementary to university level. When referring to university faculty, it's often used in compounds or with modifiers.
この大学の教員は全員、博士号を持っています。
All faculty members at this university hold doctoral degrees.
Emphasizes the group of professors as a team or lineup, often used when highlighting their quality or expertise.
この学部には著名な教授陣が揃っている。
This department has a distinguished faculty.
A broader term for staff, including administrative personnel. Can be used for faculty in context, but less precise. Often combined as 教職員 (teaching and administrative staff).
教職員の皆様へお知らせです。
Announcement for all faculty and staff.
Referring to an inherent mental or physical power or capacity.
The most common and general term for ability or capacity. Can be used for both mental and physical faculties.
彼は年をとっても、知的能力は衰えていない。
Even as he ages, his mental faculties have not declined.
言語能力は人間特有のものだ。
The faculty of speech is unique to humans.
Refers to a function or faculty, often in a more biological or mechanical sense. Suitable for physical or cognitive functions.
A literary or somewhat old-fashioned term for talent or innate ability. Often used in compounds like 詩才 (poetic faculty).
彼女には音楽の才がある。
She has a faculty for music.
Referring to a major academic division within a university, such as the Faculty of Law or Faculty of Medicine.
The standard term for an undergraduate faculty or department. E.g., 法学部 (Faculty of Law), 医学部 (Faculty of Medicine).
彼は法学部の学生です。
He is a student in the Faculty of Law.
Refers to a graduate school faculty or division. Used for master's and doctoral programs.
Referring to a formal permission or authorization, often in legal or ecclesiastical contexts.
Means authority or power granted to someone. Can be used in contexts like 'the faculty to act on behalf of someone'.
彼にはその契約を結ぶ権限が与えられている。
He has been given the faculty to conclude the contract.
In English, 'faculty' can mean the academic staff or a division. In Japanese, 学部 (faculty/undergraduate department) is distinct from 学科 (department/course of study). Be careful not to use 学部 for the staff; use 教授会 or 教員 instead.
能力 is a general ability or capacity, often innate or developed. 機能 is more about a specific function, often biological or mechanical. For mental faculties, both can be used, but 能力 is broader.
Cognitive faculties decline.
彼女は経済学研究科に所属している。
She belongs to the Faculty of Economics (graduate school).