Meaning and Usage
The suffix ～省 (しょう) is attached to the names of government ministries in Japan. It indicates a specific administrative department responsible for a particular area, such as 外務省 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) or 経済産業省 (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry).
Common Collocations
- 外務省 (がいむしょう): Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- 経済産業省 (けいざいさんぎょうしょう): Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
- 厚生労働省 (こうせいろうどうしょう): Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Register and Formality
This suffix is formal and used in official contexts when referring to government ministries. It is not used in casual conversation unless discussing government or politics.
Usage Tips
When you see ～省, it always refers to a government ministry. Be careful not to confuse it with other uses of 省 (such as the verb 省く or the noun 反省). The suffix is always attached to a compound noun naming the ministry.
Summary
Understanding ～省 helps you recognize and talk about Japanese government departments accurately. It is a key term in news, politics, and official documents.