School and University Vocabulary in Japanese
The Japanese school system, from elementary school to university, with classroom words and the April school year.
Japanese schools have their own structure and vocabulary. Knowing it helps you read about education and talk about student life.
The school system
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 幼稚園 | ようちえん | kindergarten |
| 小学校 | しょうがっこう | elementary school (6 years) |
| 中学校 | ちゅうがっこう | junior high school (3 years) |
| 高校 | こうこう | senior high school (3 years) |
| 大学 | だいがく | university |
| 大学院 | だいがくいん | graduate school |
| 専門学校 | せんもんがっこう | vocational school |
People
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 先生 | せんせい | teacher |
| 生徒 | せいと | pupil (school) |
| 学生 | がくせい | student (university) |
| 先輩 | せんぱい | senior student |
| 後輩 | こうはい | junior student |
| 友達 | ともだち | friend |
| 校長 | こうちょう | principal |
Classroom words
- 教室 (きょうしつ) — classroom
- 授業 (じゅぎょう) — lesson
- 宿題 (しゅくだい) — homework
- 試験 (しけん) — exam
- テスト — test
- 教科書 (きょうかしょ) — textbook
- 黒板 (こくばん) — blackboard
- 成績 (せいせき) — grades
Subjects
- 国語 (こくご) — Japanese (as a school subject)
- 数学 (すうがく) — mathematics
- 英語 (えいご) — English
- 理科 (りか) — science
- 社会 (しゃかい) — social studies
- 歴史 (れきし) — history
- 体育 (たいいく) — physical education
The school year
The Japanese school year begins in April and ends in March. There are usually holidays in summer, winter and spring. Cherry blossom season often coincides with the start of the school year.
Useful sentences
- 高校生です。 — I'm a high-school student.
- 大学で日本語を勉強しています。 — I'm studying Japanese at university.
- 明日は試験があります。 — I have an exam tomorrow.
- 宿題を忘れました。 — I forgot my homework.
Senpai and kōhai
The 先輩 and 後輩 relationship is important in schools and clubs. Juniors show respect to seniors, who in turn guide them.
Tips
- Learn the school levels first.
- Learn 先生, 生徒 and 学生.
- Use the dictionary to check readings.
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