The Meaning of shozoku [所属] In Japanese

所属
しょぞく
Romaji: shozoku N3

What does 所属 mean?

Translation and Meaning

affiliation, belonging, membership

Definition

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.

Type

Noun (suru-verb)

Stroke Order

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

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.

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

Usage

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.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: picture a person standing at a place with a tag attached to them; the tag (属) signifies belonging, linking the concept of place (所) to being part of something.

Variations

  • 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

Example Phrases

  • 私の所属は今、研究グループの一員です。
    Watashi no shōzoku wa ima, kenkyū gurūpu no ichiin desu.
    I am currently affiliated with the research group.
    Lista:
    • 私の所属は (Watashi no shōzoku wa) – my affiliation
    • 今 (ima) – now
    • 研究グループの (kenkyū gurūpu no) – of the research group
    • 一員です (ichiin desu) – is a member
    The noun 「所属」 means affiliation or membership; in this sentence it marks the speaker’s group membership and is the topic of the sentence when followed by は.
所属