Japanese word

役所

Pronunciation

Romajiyakusho

Meaning

  • noungovernment office

Example

役所で手続きをします。yaku sho de te tsuzu ki o shi ma su

I complete the procedure at the government office.

Illustration for 役所 (government office)

More examples

引っ越したら、役所に住所変更を届け出ます。hi kko shi ta ra yaku sho ni jū sho hen kō o todo ke de ma su

When I move, I report my change of address to the government office.

Core concept

It refers to a public office where people deal with government procedures and services.

Common phrases

  • 役所に行くyaku sho ni i ku

    go to the government office

  • 役所で手続きをするyaku sho de te tsuzu ki o su ru

    complete a procedure at the government office

  • 役所の窓口yaku sho no mado guchi

    government office counter

  • 役所に問い合わせるyaku sho ni to i a wa se ru

    contact the government office

Similar words

官公署kankōsho: A public office or institution responsible for carrying out government work.

Definition in Japanese

国や地方自治体の行政事務を行い、住民の手続きなどを受け付ける機関や建物。kuni ya chi hō ji chi tai no gyō sei ji mu o okona i jū min no te tsuzu ki na do o u ke tsu ke ru ki kan ya tate mono

Word origin

The compound 役所 (yakusho) joins 役 (yaku, "official duty") with 所 (sho, "place"), forming the idea of a place where official work is done.

Usage tips

  • A city hall can be one kind of 役所 (yakusho), but the Japanese word also includes other local government offices where residents complete administrative procedures.

Other meanings

  • city hallnoun

Word lists with this word