Meaning and Usage
"専攻" (せんこう) refers to the subject or field of study that a student specializes in at a university or college. It is commonly used to talk about one's major or specialized academic focus.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "専攻" when discussing university studies, academic backgrounds, or career paths related to education. It is a formal term used in academic and professional settings.
Collocations and Patterns
- 専攻する: to major in a subject (e.g., 経済学を専攻する)
- 専攻は〜です: stating one's major (e.g., 専攻は心理学です)
- 専攻を変える: to change one's major
Register and Nuance
"専攻" is a neutral to formal word appropriate for academic and professional conversations. It is not used for casual hobbies or interests but strictly for formal study fields.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "専攻" with "勉強" (study) or "科目" (subject). Remember, "専攻" specifically means your main field of study or major, not just any subject or study activity.