How to say "category" in Japanese

• 項目こうもくJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounCovers 'category' mainly as an individual entry, heading, or field in a list, form, or table — one discrete item rather than a whole classification scheme. Typical when filling in each field of a form.
  これは何なんの項目こうもくに入はいるか。↗

  What heading does this come under?
• ジャンルJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounCovers 'category' in the sense of genre — a type of art, entertainment, books, music, or food. The natural choice when talking about what kind of movies, novels, or cuisine something belongs to.
  このジャンルの曲きょくが好すきです。↗

  I like this kind of music.
• カテゴリJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounThe direct equivalent of 'category': an organized grouping or class, especially in computing, websites, and shops. Use it for product categories on a shopping site or blog categories.
  作家さっかとしての彼女かのじょは伝統的でんとうてきなカテゴリーのいずれにも当あてはまらない。↗

  As a writer, she does not fit into any of the traditional categories.
• 種類しゅるいJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounCovers 'category' in the sense of kind or type: what sort a thing is, or how many sorts there are. Fits questions like what kind of cheese something is.
  動物園どうぶつえんにはたくさんの種類しゅるいの動物どうぶつがいる。↗

  There are many kinds of animals in the zoo.
• 部門ぶもんJLPT N1approx.Common
  no-adjectiveCovers 'category' as a division or branch within a larger whole — a section of a company, organization, or competition. The word for the division of a firm or the class you enter in a contest.
  歴史学れきしがくは人文じんぶん科学かがくの一部いちぶ門もんである。↗

  History is a branch of the humanities.

Use 「カテゴリ」 for a straightforward category, 「ジャンル」 for genres of art and entertainment, 種類 for kinds or types, 項目 for individual entries or headings in lists and forms, and 部門 for divisions within an organization.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 項目こうもくitem
• ジャンルgenre
• カテゴリcategory
• 種類しゅるいvariety
• 部門ぶもんdivision (of a larger group)
• 部類ぶるいclass
• 範疇はんちゅうcategory
• カテcategory
• 方ほうtype
• 圏けんcategory
• 部ぶcategory
• 枠わくcategory