目次

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 目次 (もくじ) combines item 目 and order 次 to denote a table of contents.
• Basic usage: It helps a reader open a desired chapter and outlines the structure of a long report.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Contents order versus an index
  • 目次 lists sections in document order, unlike a detailed back-of-book index organized by terms.