Figure Out The Way To Use Both 専門 and 専攻

Yuka

I study Japanese at university. When someone asks what I study, should I say 専門 or 専攻?

Rei

Both relate to your field of study, but 専攻 is specifically your academic major. 専門 is broader — it means your area of expertise in any context. Let me explain!

Both 専門（せんもん） and 専攻（せんこう） relate to one’s field or specialty, but they’re used in different contexts. Knowing the distinction will help you introduce yourself accurately — whether in academia or professional settings.

At a Glance

専門: Your Field of Expertise

専門 is used broadly for any area of specialization — at work, in research, or any domain:

• 私の専門は医学です。— My specialty is medicine.
• 専門的な知識が必要だ。— Specialized knowledge is required.
• 専門家に相談する。— To consult a specialist/expert.
• この分野は彼女の専門だ。— This field is her specialty.
• 専門用語が多くて難しい。— There are so many technical terms, it’s difficult.

専攻: Your University Major

専攻 is specifically used in academic contexts — your major or area of concentration in university:

• 大学での専攻は何ですか？— What was your major at university?
• 日本語学を専攻しています。— I’m majoring in Japanese linguistics.
• 大学院では経済学を専攻した。— I majored in economics in graduate school.
• 専攻を変えたいと思っている。— I’m thinking of changing my major.
• 専攻科目はどれですか？— Which are your major subjects?

Yuka

So when I introduce myself to a Japanese person and say what I study at university, 専攻 is the right word. But if a professional asks about my area of expertise later, 専門 works better?

Rei

Exactly! 専攻 = academic major. 専門 = professional or general expertise. And once you’re working, you’d say 私の専門は〜 even about skills you originally studied — 専攻 is specifically for school.

専門家: Specialist / Expert

専門家 is a very important compound noun — it means “specialist” or “expert”:

• 専門家の意見を聞くべきだ。— You should hear the opinion of a specialist.
• 法律の専門家に相談した。— I consulted a legal expert.
• この分野の専門家はほとんどいない。— There are very few specialists in this field.

Quick Quiz

1. 大学の___は何ですか？(university major) → 専攻
2. 彼女の___はAIエンジニアリングです。(area of expertise) → 専門
3. ___家に相談してください。(specialist) → 専門
4. ___用語が多すぎてわからない。(technical terms) → 専門

Summary

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