Meaning and Usage
"専門" (せんもん) refers to a specialized field of study or expertise. It is commonly used to indicate someone's major in school or their professional specialty.
Common Collocations
- 専門を勉強する: to study a major or specialty
- 専門家 (せんもんか): expert, specialist
- 専門の〜: specialized ~ (e.g., 専門の料理 - specialty cuisine)
Nuances and Register
"専門" is a neutral and formal word often used in academic, professional, and everyday contexts. When combined with "家" (か), it forms "専門家," meaning an expert, which is frequently used in news, business, and casual conversation.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "専門" with "専攻" (せんこう), which also means major but is more specifically used for one's academic major. "専門" has a broader meaning including professional expertise beyond just academic majors.