How to say "ministry" in Japanese

• 政府せいふJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounCovers the governmental sense of 'ministry' in the sense of the administration or government as a whole. It is not the usual way to name an individual department; use it when speaking about the government broadly.
  政府せいふは倒たおされた。↗

  The government was overthrown.
• 内閣ないかくJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounRefers to the cabinet, the body of ministers heading the government. Choose it when 'ministry' means the collective leadership of ministers rather than a government as a whole or a religious role.
  内閣ないかくは辞職じしょくするそうだ。↗

  They say the Cabinet will resign.
• 奉仕ほうしJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers the religious sense: ministry as service or church work, such as serving a congregation or community. It has nothing to do with government, so it is the wrong choice for political contexts.
  その職業しょくぎょうの主要しゅような目的もくてきは社会しゃかいに奉仕ほうしすることである。↗

  The prime purpose of the profession is the rendering of a public service.

For the government sense, choose 政府 or 内閣 depending on whether you mean the administration as a whole or the cabinet; 奉仕 is the word for religious service or ministry to people, not for government departments.

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

• 政府せいふgovernment
• 内閣ないかくcabinet (of a government)
• 奉仕ほうしservice
• 省しょうministry
• 聖職せいしょくministry