範疇(はんちゅう)

A formal word meaning a class or category of things, or the extent of a particular sphere. Originally a philosophical term borrowed from Chinese, now widely used in formal writing and speech to indicate whether something falls within or outside a particular classification.

Common collocations

• 範疇(はんちゅう)に入(はい)る: fall within the scope
• 範疇(はんちゅう)を超(こ)える: exceed the scope
• 範疇(はんちゅう)に含(ふく)まれる: be included in the category
• 範疇(はんちゅう)外(がい): outside the scope

Similar words

• 範囲(はんい): range, scope — more general and less formal
• 分野(ぶんや): field, area — emphasizes the subject domain rather than boundaries
• カテゴリー: category — the loanword equivalent, used in casual contexts