○ 'Hōmon' (Visit) × 'Mon' (Gate) ○ 'Senmon' (Specialty) × 'Mon' (Question)

Last updated: 2025/09/12

This series, [Commonly Misspelled Terms], introduces common errors that middle and high school students make, which I, Shime-no, a tutor for essays and compositions, frequently encounter during my grading and correction work, and serves as a warning to all students and examinees.

Today's topic is 'The "mon" in "hōmon" (visit) is not "mon" (gate)! The "mon" in "senmon" (specialty) is not "mon" (question)!'. I often see mistakes where these two characters, "mon" (question) and "mon" (gate), are swapped.Today, we will confirm the usage of these two compound words.

As you know, the meaning of "hōmon" (visit) is "to visit a person (or their home) (Sanseido Kokugo Jiten, 7th Edition)." Perhaps due to the association with a home, some people seem to mistakenly learn it as "visiting a gate." However, this is about "asking and inquiring" of the person in that home. Therefore, "hōmon" (visit) is correct.

On the other hand, the meaning of "senmon" (specialty) is "to study one subject or matter exclusively and know it in detail. Also, a subject or matter that one studies exclusively and knows in detail (Sanseido Kokugo Jiten, 7th Edition)." This "mon" (gate) means "field" or "path", and besides "senmon," "bumon" (department/division) is also used with the same meaning. Therefore, "senmon" (specialty) is correct.

There is a simple way to remember this: "When you 'visit' (hōmon), use your 'mouth' (kuchi)! Do not 'interrupt' (kuchi o hasamu) a 'specialist' (senmon-ka)!" By doing this, you will no longer be confused about which one uses "mon" (question) or "mon" (gate). Let's double-check to ensure we don't make mistakes.

Reference: Sanseido Kokugo Jiten, 7th Edition, January 10, 2014, First Printing

For those struggling with "how to write a statement of purpose," I recommend this "Shime-no Style Template for Statement of Purpose Creation"!