Translation guide
In Japanese, the word for 'province' depends on context: historical provinces, modern prefectures, or foreign provinces. The most common modern equivalent is 県 (prefecture), but historical and foreign contexts use different terms.
Referring to one of Japan's 47 modern administrative divisions (e.g., Aichi, Osaka).
The standard term for a Japanese prefecture. Used in official names like 愛知県 (Aichi Prefecture).
I live in Aichi Prefecture.
This prefecture is famous for rice production.
Referring to the old provinces of Japan before the Meiji Restoration, such as Musashi or Yamato.
Historical term for province. Often used in historical contexts or in compound names like 武蔵国 (Musashi Province).
Referring to a primary administrative division in countries like Canada, China, or South Africa.
Used for provinces in countries like Canada (e.g., オンタリオ州 for Ontario) and historical Chinese provinces.
Referring to a sphere of activity, knowledge, or authority (e.g., 'that's not my province').
県 (ken) is for modern Japanese prefectures. 州 (shū) is for foreign provinces (Canada, Australia) and sometimes historical Japanese provinces. 国 (kuni) is for historical Japanese provinces. For Chinese provinces, use 省 (shō) instead of 州.
Japanese prefectures and Chinese provinces are different.
武蔵国は現在の東京と埼玉の一部でした。
Musashi Province was part of present-day Tokyo and Saitama.
Also used for historical provinces, sometimes in literary or classical contexts. Can overlap with 国.
He is from Koshu (Kai Province).
カナダには10の州があります。
Canada has 10 provinces.
He came from British Columbia Province.
Used specifically for Chinese provinces (e.g., 四川省 for Sichuan Province). Not used for other countries.
Sichuan Province is a habitat for pandas.
Means 'domain', 'field', or 'territory'. Used for areas of expertise or responsibility.
That's not my province.
Means 'specialty' or 'field of expertise'. Often used in 'それは私の専門外です' (That's outside my province).
That issue is outside my province.
Means 'scope' or 'range'. Can be used to indicate the limits of one's responsibility.
That's not within my province.
県 is only used for Japanese prefectures. Using it for a Canadian province like 'Ontario-ken' would be incorrect. Use 州 instead.
Ontario is a province of Canada.