Translation and Meaning of: 課 - ka

The Japanese word 課[か] is a versatile term and is frequently used in everyday life in Japan, especially in organizational and educational contexts. If you are studying Japanese or are curious about the meaning and use of this word, this article will explore its translation, origin, and practical applications. Additionally, we will look at how it appears in common sentences and tips for memorizing it efficiently. Here at Suki Nihongo, our goal is to provide accurate and useful information for those who want to master the language.

Meaning and translation of 課[か]

The term 課[か] can be translated as "section," "lesson," or "task," depending on the context in which it is used. In corporate environments, for example, it often refers to departmental divisions, such as 人事課 (jinji-ka), which means "human resources section." In the educational context, it can indicate a lesson or unit of study, as in 第３課 (dai-san-ka), which translates to "lesson 3."

Furthermore, 課 can also carry a sense of "burden" or "responsibility," as in the expression 課税 (kazei), which means "taxation." This variety of meanings shows how the term is rooted in different aspects of Japanese life, from work to studies.

Origin and use of the kanji 課

The kanji 課 is composed of the radical 言 (which relates to words or speech) and the component 果 (which may suggest "result" or "conclusion"). This combination reflects the idea of a task or division that involves communication and clear objectives. According to the Kangorin dictionary, the character originated in ancient China and was incorporated into Japanese with a meaning similar to the original.

In Japan, the use of 課 in departmental titles dates back to the Meiji period, when the government modernized its administrative structures. Since then, it has become common in companies and public organizations, reinforcing its association with organization and hierarchy. Even today, it is one of the most frequently used kanji in corporate manuals and educational materials.

How to memorize and use 課 in everyday life

An effective way to reinforce the meaning of 課 is to associate it with compound words you already know. For example, 課題 (kadai) means "task" or "problem to solve," while 課長 (kachō) refers to a "section chief." Creating flashcards with these terms can help internalize the use of the kanji in different situations.

Another tip is to pay attention to how 課 appears in authentic materials, such as textbooks or corporate emails. Noticing its real context makes it easier to understand the nuances. If you are starting to learn Japanese, try practicing with simple sentences like "この課は難しいです" (kono ka wa muzukashii desu – "This lesson is difficult").

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 科 (Ka) - Field of study or subject.
• 部 (Bu) - Unit or department; it can refer to a section within an organization.
• 課目 (Kamoku) - Subject or specific topic of study within a course.
• 課程 (Kakutō) - Curriculum or study program, covering a set of subjects.
• 課題 (Kadai) - Task or problem to be solved, often used in academic contexts.

課

Romaji: ka
Kana: か
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: chapter counter (of a book)

Meaning in English: counter for chapters (of a book)

Definition: Divide tasks and tasks so that each person can complete them.

Example Sentences - (課) ka

See below some example sentences:

課外活動は楽しいです。

Kagai katsudou wa tanoshii desu

Extracurricular activities are fun.

Extracurricular activities are fun.

• 課外活動 (kagai katsudou) - Extracurricular activities
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 楽しい (tanoshii) - Fun, pleasant
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

この課程はとても興味深いです。

Kono katei wa totemo kyoumi fukai desu

This course is very interesting.

This course is very interesting.

• この - indicates proximity, in this case, "this"
• 課程 - means "course"
• は - topic particle, indicates that the subject of the sentence is "this course"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 興味深い - adjective meaning "interesting"
• です - verb "to be" in the present tense, indicating that "this course is very interesting"

私の日課は毎朝ジョギングすることです。

Watashi no nikka wa maiasa jogingu suru koto desu

My daily routine is running every morning.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 日課 (nikka) - noun meaning "daily habit"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• 毎朝 (maiasa) - adverb meaning "every morning"
• ジョギング (jogingu) - noun meaning "race"
• する (suru) - verb that means "to do"
• こと (koto) - noun that means "thing"
• です (desu) - verb indicating to be, used for formality

私の課は日本語を勉強することです。

Watashi no ka wa nihongo wo benkyou suru koto desu

My section is to study Japanese.

• 私の課 (watashi no ka) - "my task"
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 日本語 (nihongo) - "Japanese"
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 勉強する (benkyou suru) - "study"
• こと (koto) - abstract noun indicating action or event
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

課税は国の財源の一つです。

Kazei wa kuni no zaigen no hitotsu desu

The tax is one of the national financial resources.

• 課税 - means "tax" in Japanese.
• は - Topic particle in Japanese, which indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 国 - "País" significa "国" (kuni) em japonês.
• の - particle of possession in Japanese, which indicates that "財源" belongs to "国".
• 財源 - means "source of income" in Japanese.
• の - particle of possession in Japanese, which indicates that "一つ" belongs to "財源".
• 一つ - means "one" in Japanese, indicating that "財源" is one of the country's sources of income.
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, indicating that the sentence is a statement.