How to say "official" in Japanese

• 公式こうしきJLPT N2approx.Common
  no-adjective, noun (suffix)Describes something as official in the sense of authorized by an organization or conducted through proper channels, and 'formal' as opposed to casual; typical of announcements, records, and events.
  ここでの事故じこの数かずが公式こうしきに記録きろくされているものの２倍ばいあると仮定かていしてみよう。↗

  Let us suppose that the number of incidents is twice that of those officially recorded.
• 正式せいしきJLPT N3approx.Common
  na-adjective, no-adjectiveStresses that something takes the proper, established form: formal or official in the full, regular sense rather than informal or provisional, as with procedures, names, or decisions.
  彼女かのじょの服装ふくそうは正式せいしきなパーティーでは場違ばちがいだった。↗

  Her clothes were out of place at a formal party.
• オフィシャルCommon
  na-adjective, nounThe loanword; covers the same authorized, formal sense as 公式 and is often chosen where an English-flavored term feels natural, as in sports and entertainment settings.
• 公的こうてきCommon
  na-adjectivePoints to the public sphere: official in the sense of belonging to or sanctioned by public institutions or government, as opposed to private; often better rendered 'public' than 'official'.
• 係員かかりいんCommon
  nounA noun for a person: the member of staff in charge at a counter, station, or event; an attendant. Its 'official' gloss reflects this sense, not a government official.
  「身分みぶん確認かくにんのためにあなたの運転免許証うんてんめんきょしょうを見みせていただけますか」とその係員かかりいんはいった。↗

  "May I please see your driver's license for identification?" said the clerk.

For 'official' as an adjective choose 公式 (authorized, formal) or 正式 (proper, regular form), 「オフィシャル」 as the loanword equivalent, 公的 for public-sector senses, and 係員 only when 'official' means a person such as an attendant.

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

• 公式こうしきofficial
• 正式せいしきformal
• オフィシャルofficial
• 公的こうてきpublic
• 係員かかりいんperson in charge
• 公然こうぜんopen
• 公定こうていofficial (rate, price, etc.)
• 仕しofficial
• 公おおやけofficial
• 署員しょいんstaff member
• 係かかりcharge
• 表向きおもてむきoutward appearance
• 官つかさoffice
• 吏員りいんofficial
• 形式ばったけいしきばったformal
• 依命いめいby order (of a superior)
• 公儀こうぎimperial court
• 表立ったおもてだったpublic
• 係がかりcharge
• 純正じゅんせいgenuine (parts, accessories, etc.)
• 役員やくいんofficer
• 本当ほんとうproper
• 公称こうしょうnominal
• 公式的こうしきてきofficial
• 掛かりかかりcharge