Yuka手順 and 手続き — both involve steps or procedures, but they describe different things. Mix them up and you might get confused at immigration or in a meeting!
Rei手順 (tejun) is the steps or order to do something — a procedure or sequence. 手続き (tetsuduki) is a formal process or administrative procedure — paperwork, official steps.
| 手順 (tejun) | 手続き (tetsuduki) | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Steps / procedure / order of operations | Procedure / formalities / paperwork |
| Focus | How to do it (sequence) | Official or administrative process |
| Context | Cooking, work tasks, instructions | Immigration, registration, legal forms |
| Example | 手順に従ってください。 | 手続きを踏む必要があります。 |
手順 — Steps and Sequence
手順 (tejun) refers to the order of steps needed to complete a task. It’s the “how to” — the procedure or sequence of actions. It’s used in everyday tasks, recipes, work instructions, and manuals.
- この手順に従ってください。— Please follow these steps.
- 手順を間違えました。— I got the steps wrong.
- 作業手順書を確認してください。— Please check the work procedure manual.
- 料理の手順を説明します。— I’ll explain the cooking steps.
手続き — Formal Procedures
手続き (tetsuduki) refers to official or administrative processes — the formalities, paperwork, and required steps for something legal, bureaucratic, or institutional.
- ビザの手続きをしました。— I completed the visa procedures.
- 入学手続きが必要です。— Enrollment procedures are required.
- 解約手続きをお願いします。— Please complete the cancellation process.
- 手続きが完了しました。— The procedure has been completed.
Side-by-Side
| Situation | Word to use |
|---|---|
| Explaining how to assemble furniture | 手順 |
| Filing a visa application | 手続き |
| A recipe’s cooking steps | 手順 |
| Registering at city hall | 手続き |
| Steps in a software installation | 手順 |
| Canceling a bank account | 手続き |
Common Mistakes for English Speakers
English uses “procedure” for both — so learners often use 手続き everywhere. But 手続き carries a formal/official weight. Using 手続き for a simple cooking recipe or everyday task sounds oddly bureaucratic. Use 手順 for step-by-step instructions.
Quick Quiz
Which word would you use to describe the steps in a recipe?
Answer: 手順 — 料理の手順を説明します。
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