課

• Reading: か
• Romaji: ka
• Kanji breakdown: 課 (ka) — department, section, lesson
• Pronunciation: /ka/

Meaning

Department; division; section. An organizational unit within a company, government office, or institution.

A noun and suffix used for organizational divisions. In companies and government offices, 課 refers to a section or department, typically smaller than 部 (department/division). It is also used as a counter for textbook lessons (第一課, Lesson 1). Common collocations include 営業課 (sales department), 総務課 (general affairs section), and 課長 (section chief).

Examples

1. 来月から営業課に異動になった。 Starting next month, I'm being transferred to the sales department.
2. 課の全員でミーティングを行った。 The entire section held a meeting.
3. 書類を総務課に提出してください。 Please submit the documents to the general affairs department.

Usage Guide

Context: business, government, education

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 課 is composed of 言 (words, speech) and 果 (fruit, result). Originally meaning to assign tasks or impose duties, it came to refer to the organizational unit responsible for those tasks.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal