Word
所属
Meaning in Englishattached to, belong to
Animated kanji stroke order
Word context
What it means
What does 所属 mean? It denotes being affiliated with or belonging to a group, organization, or place; the state of being a member of something, and the relation of an individual or entity to a larger organization.
Main meanings
- Affiliation or membership in an organization, institution, or group
- Belonging to a specific department, division, or office within a larger body
- Used in formal contexts to indicate organizational ties, often with 所属する
How to use it
Used as a noun to denote affiliation, belonging, or membership; commonly appears in formal writing, HR, government, academia, and media, and the related verb 所属する means to belong to or be affiliated with.
Variants and close terms
- 属する (shozuru) — to belong
- 配属 (haizoku) — assignment to a department or post
- 所属先 (shozoku-saki) — the organization one belongs to
- 脱退 (dattai) — withdrawal from an affiliation
Composition
- 所: place, location; to reside
- 属: belong, to be attached to; to be subordinate to
- Combined meaning: affiliation or belonging to a group or organization
Origin
Derived from a Sino-Japanese kanji compound; used historically in administrative and bureaucratic contexts across Japanese society to indicate membership or association with an organization or location.
Word class
Noun (suru-verb)
Related words by kanji and components
N2
短所
tansho
defect, weak point; disadvantage
N2
長所
chousho
strong point, merit; advantage
N2
所々
tokorodokoro
here and there, some parts (of something)
N2
附属
fuzoku
attached, belonging, affiliated
N2
付属
fuzoku
being attached (to), being affiliated (to), belonging (to), going with
N2
便所
benjo
toilet, lavatory
N2
名所
meisho
famous place
N2
役所
yakusho
government office, public office
N2
余所
yoso
another place, somewhere else, strange parts