帰宅部
What does "帰宅部" mean in English?
club that doesn't meet after school彼女は帰宅部だから、部活には参加しない。
She's in the 'go-home club,' so she doesn't join club activities.
How to use "帰宅部" correctly: definitions and examples in English?
A school club whose members do not gather for activities after school hours; often contrasted with 部活 (ぶかつ, club activities).
帰宅部の生徒は、放課後すぐに家に帰る。
Students in the 'go-home club' go straight home after school.
帰宅部でも、大会には参加することがある。
Even those in the 'go-home club' sometimes participate in tournaments.
Often used in contrast to 部活動 (ぶかつどう, club activities) or 運動部 (うんどうぶ, sports club). May imply a lack of commitment to extracurriculars.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Understanding 帰宅部 vs. 部活
In Japanese schools, 部活 (ぶかつ) refers to extracurricular club activities that meet after school. 帰宅部 is the opposite—students who leave school immediately after classes end. The term is often used in contrast to 部活動 (ぶかつどう), which implies active participation.
Gold Rule
When to use 帰宅部
Use 帰宅部 to describe students who do not participate in after-school clubs. It is not an official club category but a colloquial term. Avoid using it in formal contexts.
Word Origin
Combines 帰宅 (きたく, 'returning home') and 部 (ぶ, 'club' or 'group'). The term emerged in Japanese school culture to describe students who do not participate in after-school club activities.
Usage Notes
The term is often used humorously or self-deprecatingly by students who do not join clubs. It reflects a cultural norm where participation in 部活 is expected in Japanese schools.