Translation guide
A department or division within an organization that handles administrative, clerical, and operational tasks not specific to other departments.
The standard term for a department handling administrative and clerical tasks in a company or organization.
The most common and standard term for a general affairs department in a company. Handles HR, accounting, legal, and other administrative tasks.
彼は総務部に所属しています。
He belongs to the general affairs department.
A general affairs section or subsection, often a smaller unit within a larger department. Used when the organization has a section rather than a full department.
総務課で備品を管理しています。
We manage supplies in the general affairs section.
In government or public offices, the term may differ slightly.
In city halls or government offices, 総務課 is the standard term for the general affairs division handling personnel, documents, and general coordination.
市役所の総務課にお問い合わせください。
Please contact the general affairs section at city hall.
A smaller unit, like a general affairs subsection or clerk's office, often found in branch offices or smaller municipalities.
総務係で住民票を発行しています。
The general affairs subsection issues resident certificates.
When referring to general affairs in a specific setting like a school or hospital.
Sometimes used in universities or large institutions for a general affairs section focusing on clerical work and facilities. Less common than 総務.
大学の庶務課に書類を提出しました。
I submitted the documents to the university's general affairs section.
総務部 (sōmubu) is a department, typically found in larger companies. 総務課 (sōmuka) is a section, often a subdivision of a department or the main administrative unit in smaller organizations or government offices.
If you are unsure of the exact organizational structure, 総務 (sōmu) alone can be understood as 'general affairs' and is often used in compound words like 総務担当 (general affairs staff).