(やくしょ)

やくしょ
noun
government office, municipal office
1. government office, municipal office
A local government administrative office where citizens handle official paperwork such as resident registration, certificates, and various permits.
住民票(じゅうみんひょう)()りに役所(やくしょ)()った。
I went to the government office to get my resident certificate.
役所(やくしょ)窓口(まどぐち)午後(ごご)5時(ごじ)()まる。
The government office counter closes at 5 PM.
引っ越(ひっこ)したら役所(やくしょ)(とど)()をしなければならない。
After moving, you must file a notification at the government office.

COMPOSITION: (やく) (role, service) + (しょ) (place). Literally "place of service."

TYPES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES:

  • 市役所(しやくしょ) (city hall)
  • 区役所(くやくしょ) (ward office)
  • 町役場(まちやくば)/村役場(むらやくば) (town/village office)
  • 県庁(けんちょう) (prefectural office)

COMMON PROCEDURES AT 役所(やくしょ):

  • 住民票(じゅうみんひょう)発行(はっこう) (issuing resident certificate)
  • 戸籍(こせき)謄本(とうほん)取得(しゅとく) (obtaining family register copy)
  • 転入届(てんにゅうとどけ)/転出届(てんしゅつとどけ) (moving in/out notification)
  • 印鑑登録(いんかんとうろく) (seal registration)
  • 婚姻届(こんいんとどけ) (marriage registration)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 役所(やくしょ)(とど)()をする (to file a notification)
  • 役所(やくしょ)手続(てつづ)きをする (to complete procedures)
  • 役所(やくしょ)窓口(まどぐち) (government office counter)

USAGE NOTE:
役所(やくしょ) is the general term for local government offices. In casual conversation, 市役所(しやくしょ) or 区役所(くやくしょ) may be shortened to just 役所(やくしょ).