Usage patterns 〈 科か 目もく 〉 を 選せん 択たく する to choose a subject/course
Which subjects will you choose for next semester?
〈 科か 目もく 〉 を 履り 修しゅう する to take/complete a course
Taking this course earns credits required for graduation.
〈 科か 目もく 〉 に 合ごう 格かく する to pass a subject/exam
He passed all of his subjects.
〈 科か 目もく 〉 を 教おし える to teach a subject
She teaches science subjects.
勘かん 定じょう 科か 目もく を 分ぶん 類るい する to classify accounting items
The accountant must correctly classify the account items.
Kanji 科 department, course, section 課 chapter, lesson, section Related words 教科 refers to a defined educational subject area like 国語 or 理科 , while 科目 is broader and also covers university courses, exam subjects, and accounting categories.
科目 usually refers to one individual school subject (like math or English), while 学科 can mean a whole course of study or an academic department.
Don't confuse with 授業 means a class or lesson as an actual event of instruction, whereas 科目 refers to the subject or course category itself, not the session.
項目 is a general term for an item or entry in any list, while 科目 is used specifically for classified categories such as school subjects or accounting headings.
Word family· 9 compulsory subject; required subject
account name; account title
examination subjects
specialized subject; major
specialized subject; special subject
Show 4 more Show fewer registered subject; course
required subject; compulsory course
exam subject; subjects for an examination
elective subject; elective course
Written forms 科か 目もく Usage 98%
Standard high-priority spelling for school subjects, courses, and categorized items such as accounting headings.
課か 目もく Usage 2%
Attested alternative kanji spelling; 科目 is the safer general spelling for learners.
Etymology A Sino-Japanese compound: 科 refers to a category, department, or course, and 目 to an item or heading. The compound is conventionally used for classified items, including school subjects and accounting headings.
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