書類

• Reading: しょるい
• Romaji: shorui
• Kanji breakdown: 書 (sho) — write, document; 類 (rui) — type, kind
• Pronunciation: /ɕo.ɾɯ.i/

Meaning

Documents; official papers. Written materials used for formal or business purposes.

A noun referring to formal written documents such as contracts, applications, reports, and official forms. Essential vocabulary for business and administrative settings. Often appears in expressions like 書類を提出する (to submit documents) and 書類に記入する (to fill in documents).

Examples

1. 明日までに書類を提出してください。 Please submit the documents by tomorrow.
2. 大事な書類をなくしてしまった。 I lost an important document.
3. 書類に名前と住所を書いてください。 Please write your name and address on the form.

Usage Guide

Context: business, government, school

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 書 (write, document) and 類 (type, kind, category). Together they mean 'things of the written category,' referring to a collection of formal papers.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal