Japanese word for school

This is a list of Japanese words related to school and educational institutions.

I’ve always enjoyed school and If you are staring to use these terms either for yourself, or for a loved one, I wish you the best luck! While I haven’t attended a school in Japan personally, I hear that they are much more difficult than American schools on average, especially for earlier grades.

• 学校 (gakkou): school
• 幼稚園 (youchien): kindergarten (also キンダー)
• 小学校 (shougakkou): elementary school
• 中学校 (chuugakkou): middle school
• 高校 (koukou): high school
• 大学 (daigaku): college or university
• 専門学校 (senmon gakkou): vocational or technical school
• 予備校 (yobikou): preparatory school (also 塾 ‘juku’)
• 授業 (jugyou): class
• 学生 (gakusei): student
• クラスメート (kurasumeeto): classmate
• 校内 (kounai): campus, school grounds
• 教室 (kyoushitsu): classroom
• 廊下 (rouka): hallway
• 先生 (sensei): teacher
• 担当 (tantou): person in charge (ex: 担当の先生: teacher in charge)
• 教職員 (kyoushokuin): faculty or staff of a school  (also 教員)
• 校長先生 (kouchou sensei): principle
• 教頭先生 (kyoutou sensei): vice principle
• 休園 (kyuuen): (kindergarten) closed
• 休校 (kyuukou): school closed
• 〜年生 (~nensei): student at a certain grade in school [ex: 二年生 (ninensei): second grade student]
• 学年 (gakunen): grade in school (referring to 一年生、二年生, etc.)
• 代講 (daikou): substitute teacher
• アシスタント (ashisutanto): assistant (teacher)
• (に) 落ちる (ochiru): to fail (a test, etc)
• (に) 受かる (ukaru): to pass (a test, etc)
• (を) 受ける (ukeru): to take (a test, etc.)
• 合格 (goukaku): pass (a test, etc.)
• 不合格 (fugoukaku): fail (a test, etc.)
• 卒業する (sotsugyou suru): to graduate
• 卒業生 (sotsugyousei): graduate, alumnus
• 卒業アルバム (sotsuyou arubamu): yearbook
• 試験 (shiken): test (also テスト)
• 学期 (gakki): school term or semester
• 中間 (chuukan): mid-term (ex: 中間テスト)
• 期末 (kimatsu): end of term (ex: 期末テスト)
• 見学する (kengaku suru): to observe (a class, etc.)
• 飛び級する (tobikyuu suru): to skip a grade
• 教科書 (kyoukasho): text book
• 机 (tsukue): desk
• 黒板 (kokuban): blackboard
• 鉛筆 (enpitsu): pencil
• 実習 (jisshuu): ‘real’ practice (actually doing something)
• 自習 (jishuu): self-study (time given by teachers for students to study on their own, like before a test)
• お休み (oyasumi): a day off or holiday (for work or school)
• 休日(kyuujitsu): holiday (New Years, etc.)
• 下駄箱 (getabako): shoe cupboard / rack
• 単位 (tan’i):  (college) credit
• 科目 (kamoku): subject / course
• 必修科目 (hisshuu kamoku): required course
• 退学する (taigaku suru): leaving / getting kicked out of school
• 入学する (nyuugaku suru): entering school
• 給食 (kyuushoku): school lunch
• 理系 (rikei): science track, or a student in such a program
• 文系 (bunkei): humanities track, or a student in such a program
• クラブ (kurabu): a club (tennis, etc.)
• 部活 (bukatsu): participation in a club (short for クラブ活動)
• 稽古 (keiko): practice session for a club, like Karate (also お稽古)
• 教育 (kyouiku): education
• 教育制度 (kyouiku seido): educational system (also 教育システム)
• 教育委員会 (kyouiku iinkai): board of education
• 補習校 (hoshuukou): supplementary school (often weekends only)
• 勉強する (benkyou suru): to study
• 学ぶ (manabu): to learn
• 専攻 (senkou): specialty/major
• 運動場 (undoujou): playground/schoolyard
• 体育館 (taiikukan): gymnasium
• 食堂 (shokudou): cafeteria (also カフェテリア)
• 不登校 (futoukou): not attending school
• 成績表 (seisekihyou): report card (that contains grades)
• 文科省 (monkashou): Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) [short for 文部科学省]
  • I was recently told this is something like a ‘board of education’ in the sense that it decides the educational standards for Japan, although this is just a subset of it’s duties. See more information here.

(Visited 14,040 times, 6 visits today)

がっこう — gakkou
学-scholarship; learning; knowledge (gaku), 校-school building (kou)

Japanese Definition

school
1. 名詞. 学校。
I go to school every weekday.
平日は毎日学校 へ行きます。
2. 名詞. （米国） 大学など高等教育機関。
3. 名詞. （大学等における）学部。
School of Economics, School of Dance
4. 名詞. 学派。一派。
the monetarist school　マネタリスト学派
5. 動詞. （一般的に学校において）～を教育する。～を訓練する。
6. 動詞. ～を叱る。～を懲戒する。
7. 名詞. 魚のむれ。
a school of killifish
メダカの群れ （「メダカの学校」としばしば誤訳されるが、本来は「群れ」と訳すのが正しい。）

Translations for school and their definitions

群れ
1. n. group of animals such as a pack, flock, herd, bevy, school, etc.

学校
1. n. school (institution dedicated to teaching and learning)

大学
1. n. a university; a college

大学院
1. n. graduate school

Pronunciation

(gakkou)

Dictionary

More Japanese words for School
All vocabulary sets

Random Quiz:
What is the word for light switch?

Start learning Japanese vocabulary

Japanese Vocabulary – School Subjects (学校の科目) – Review Notes

Today we learned how to say some school subjects in Japanese! In these review notes, we will go over all the Japanese vocabulary that was in the video and we will see a list of additional Japanese vocabulary!

………………………………………………………………………………..

Number 1:

★　The Japanese word for school subjects is 学校の科目 (gakkō no kamoku).

………………………………………………………………………………..

Number 2:

★　数学 (sūgaku) is the Japanese word for math.

★　There is another Japanese word for math: 算数 (sansū) This word is used more for elementary school math or arithmetic, while 数学 (sūgaku) is used more for higher levels of math.

………………………………………………………………………………..

Number 3:

★　The Japanese word for science is 理科 (rika)

★　There is another word for science in Japanese: 科学 (kagaku).

★　Although they both translate as science in English, 理科 (rika) is used more in elementary schools and might be considered a more simple type of science.

★　From junior high school on, students study 科学 (kagaku) which includes more advanced kinds of science.

………………………………………………………………………………..

Number 4:

★　History in Japanese is 歴史 (rekishi).

………………………………………………………………………………..

Number 5:

★　The Japanese word for art is 美術 (bijutsu)

………………………………………………………………………………..

Number 6:

★　Japanese (language) in Japanese is 日本語 (nihongo).

★　In Japan, Japanese (as a school subject) is known as 国語 (kokugo – “national language”) rather than 日本語 (nihongo).

………………………………………………………………………………..

Additional School Subjects:

体育　　　　　　taiiku 　　　　　  P.E.

音楽　　　　　　ongaku 　　　　  Music

社会　　　　　　shakai 　　　　    Social Studies

社会学　　　　　shakaigaku 　　  Sociology

文学　　　　　　bungaku 　　　　Literature

英語　　　　　　eigo　　 　　 　　English

スペイン語　　 　supeingo　 　　  Spanish

フランス語　　　furansugo　 　　 French

ドイツ語　　　　doitsugo　　 　　German

言語学　　　　　gengogaku　　 　Linguistics

哲学　　　　　　tetsugaku　　 　  Philosophy

心理学　　　　　shinrigaku　　 　Psychology

人類学　　　　　jinruigaku　　 　 Anthropology

地理学　　　　　chirigaku　　 　  Geography

政治学　　　　　seijigaku　　 　   Political Science

経済学　　　　　keizaigaku　　 　Economics

生物学　　　　　seibutsugaku　　Biology

化学　　　　　　kagaku　 　　　　Chemistry

物理学　　　　　butsurigaku　 　  Physics

天文学　　　　　tenmongaku　 　  Astronomy

地質学　　　　　chishitsugaku　   Geology

医学　　　　　　igaku　   　　　　 Medical Science

統計学　　　　　tōkeigaku　   　　Statistics

……………………………………………………………………………….

Conclusion:

We learned a lot of school subjects in Japanese today! What’s your favorite school subject? Let us know in Japanese the comment section below!

Also, if you want to know a school subject’s name that we have not listed, feel free to ask!

……………………………………………………………………………….

Do you want a Japanese tutor?

Take Japanese Skype Lessons with Professional Japanese Teachers on kakehashijapan.com!

………………………………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………..

Doumo, riizhu^^)/ hallo, welcome to Japanese Learning Online, Let’s learn Japanese in pithy article here^^, as you see in the title, in this article, I’m sharing a vocabulary list all about school, words that you use frequently at school or when you are talking about school. Alright, let’s enjoy to memorize:

Japanese Vocabulary List: School (学校)

Japanese	Romaji	English
学校	gakkou	school
学生/生徒	gakusei/seito	student
教師	kyoushi	teacher
先生	sensei	(used to call) teacher
小学校	shougakkou	elementary school
小学生	shougakusei	elementary school student
中学校	chuugakkou	junior high school
中学生	chuugakusei	junior high school student
高校/高等学校	koukou/koutougakkou	high school
高学生	kougakusei	high school student
大学	daigaku	university
大学生	daigakusei	college student
幼稚園	youchien	kindergarden
校長	kouchou	principal
教徒	kyouto	wakil kepala sekolah
手帳	techou	notebook
鞄	kaban	bag
鉛筆	enpitsu	pencil
ボルペン	borupen	bolpoint
消しゴム	keshigomu	eraser
定規	jougi	ruler
黒板	kokuban	blackboard
教室	kyoushitsu	class
宿題	shukudai	homework
塾	juku	cram school
制服	seifuku	uniform
学部	gakubu	undergraduate
試験	shiken	test
学友	gakuyuu	school friend
級友	kyuuyuu	classmate
図書館/図書室	toshokan/toshoshitsu	library
教授	kyouju	professor
学長	gakuchou	university president
転校生	tenkousei	exchange student
先輩	senpai	senior student
後輩	kouhai	junior student
一年生	ichinensei	grade 1 student
二年生	ninensei	grade 2 student
三年生	sannensei	grade 3 student
留学生	ryuugakusei	foreign student
会計学	kaikeigaku	accounting
代数学	daisuugaku	algebra
解剖学	kaibougaku	anatomy
人類学	jinruigaku	anthropology
考古学	koukogaku	archeology
建築学	kenchikugaku	architecture
美術	bijutsu	art
天文学	tenmongaku	astronomy
生物学	seibutsugaku	biology
植物学	shokubutsugaku	botany
科学	kagaku	science
経済	keizai	economy
外国語	gaikokugo	foreign language
地理	chiri	geography
言語学	gengogaku	linguistics
地質学	chishitsugaku	geology
幾何学	kikagaku	geometry
歴史	rekishi	history
法学	hougaku	law
文学	bungaku	literature
数学	suugaku	math
医学	igaku	medical science
哲学	tetsugaku	philosophy
物理学	butsurigaku	physics
生理学	seirigaku	physiology
化学	kagaku	chemistry
社会学	shakaigaku	sociology
動物学	doubutsugaku	zoology
卒業する	sotsugyou suru	graduate
冬休み	fuyu yasumi	summer holiday
夏休み	natsu yasumi	winter holiday
机	tsukue	desk
椅子	isu	chair

Okey, that was the Japanese vocabulary list: school (学校), see you again next time learners, bye bye^^ jikai mo tanoshimi ni !(^o^)!.

If you are taking a Japanese group lesson online, or planning to study as a foreign student in Japan or to teach your language as a teacher in Japan, it’s good to know Japanese classroom phrases well for effective learning and better communication in the class.

In this guide, we introduce the most useful Japanese classroom phrases and vocabulary from various aspects, including school vocabulary, classroom greetings and calls, explaining absence and tardiness, teacher’s phrases, student phrases, and school subjects. You will learn not only common Japanese classroom phrases and vocabulary but also the unique features of Japanese schools, such as the school system, school routines, and school supplies. Let’s get ready for your class with JapanesePod101.com!

答えがわかったら手を挙げて Kotae ga wakattara te o agete

(“Raise your hand if you know the answer”)

Table of Contents

1. School Vocabulary
2. Classroom Greetings and Calls
3. Explaining Absence and Tardiness/Leaving Early
4. Teacher’s Phrases
5. Student’s Phrases
6. Talking About Subjects
7. Conclusion

1. School Vocabulary

Before talking about Japanese classroom phrases, here are the lists of school vocabulary for the Japanese school system, school facilities, school personnel, school routines and school supplies.

1. Japanese School System

April is one of the most important months of the year in Japan as the school year or the fiscal year begins.  Classes are held from Monday to Friday in compulsory education and at public schools, and some private schools are also open on Saturdays. The Japanese school year usually consists of three terms (学期 gakki), and there are short spring and winter breaks or a long summer break between each school term.

Below is the basic Japanese school system;

Elementary school:  6 years (age 7 to 12)    [Compulsory Education]

Junior high school : 3 years (age 13 to 15) [Compulsory Education]

Senior high school : 3 years (age 16 to 18)

[Higher Education]

University: 4 years (6 years for Medicine, Pharmaceutical, Veterinary, and Dentistry School)

Junior college: 2 years (or 3, depending on the school)

Vocational school: 2 years (or 3, depending on the school)

Japanese Words for School Vocabulary 

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
school	学校	がっこう	gakkō
elementary school	小学校	しょうがっこう	shōgakkō
junior high school	中学校	ちゅうがっこう	chūgakkō
senior high school	高校 /高等学校	こうこう / こうとうがっこう	kōkō  (short version) / kōtō gakkō
university	大学	だいがく	daigaku
junior college	短期大学	たんき だいがく	tanki daigaku
vocational / technical school	専門学校	せんもん がっこう	senmon gakkō

教室 kyōshitsu (“classroom”)

2. School Facilities

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
classroom	教室	きょうしつ	kyōshitsu
faculty room	職員室	しょくいんしつ	shokuinshitsu
science laboratory	理科室	りかしつ	rikashitsu
arts / craft room	美術室 / 図工室	びじゅつしつ / ずこうしつ	bijutsushitsu / zukōshitsu
library	図書室 / 図書館	としょしつ  / としょかん	toshoshitsu / toshokan
gymnasium	体育館	たいいくかん	taiikukan
infirmary	保健室	ほけんしつ	hokenshitsu
schoolyard	校庭	こうてい	kōtei
athletic ground	運動場 / 校庭	うんどうじょう / こうてい	undōjō / kōtei
school cafeteria	学生食堂/ 学食	がくせい しょくどう/ がくしょく	gakusei shokudō/ gakushoku (short version)

図書室 toshoshitsu (“library”)

3. School Personnel

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
student	生徒	せいと	seito
teacher	先生 *	せんせい	sensei
professor	教授	きょうじゅ	kyōju
faculty	教員	きょういん	kyōin
vice principal	教頭 / 副校長	きょうとう / ふくこうちょう	kyōtō / fukukōchō
school principal	校長	こうちょう	kōchō
librarian	司書	ししょ	shisho
school caretaker	用務員	ようむいん	yōmuin

*Generally, 先生 (sensei) is who teaches something, and 先生 (sensei) is commonly used for school teachers. On the other hand, a synonym word 教師 (kyōshi) is used as an occupation, for example, 私は教師です Watashi wa kyōshi desu. “I’m a teacher.” 

4. School Routines

English	Kanji/Katakana	Hiragana	Reading
going to school	登校	とうこう	tōkō
morning assembly	朝礼	ちょうれい	chōrei
class	授業	じゅぎょう	jugyō
examination	試験	しけん	shiken
food service *	給食	きゅうしょく	kyūshoku
break / recess	休み時間	やすみじかん	yasumi jikan
cleaning **	清掃	せいそう	seisō
club activity	クラブ活動	くらぶかつどう	kurabu katsudō
leaving school	下校	げこう	gekō

*Food Service  給食 kyūshoku is usually provided at elementary school and middle high school for very low monthly fees in Japan. They usually eat kyūshoku in the classroom. In high school, students either bring their own lunch boxes お弁当 o-bentō or use the school cafeteria.

**There is time allocated for cleaning, especially from elementary to high school, and students clean their school by themselves in Japan. Not only in their home classroom but also in corridors, bathrooms, gym, and other places in the school. In this way, Japanese schools teach students to clean, keep tidy, be responsible, use things with care, etc.

5. School Supplies

English	Kanji / Katakana	Hiragana	Reading
pencil	鉛筆	えんぴつ	enpitsu
mechanical pencil	シャーペン *	しゃーぺん	shāpen
pen	ペン	ぺん	pen
eraser	消しゴム	けしごむ	keshigomu
pen case	筆箱	ふでばこ	fudebako
pencil sharpener	鉛筆削り	えんぴつけずり	enpitsu kezuri
notebook	ノート	のーと	nōto
textbook	教科書	きょうかしょ	kyōkasho
book	本	ほん	hon
scissors	ハサミ	はさみ	hasami
glue	ノリ	のり	nori
ruler	定規	じょうぎ	jōgi
calculator	計算機	けいさんき	keisanki
school indoor shoes	上履き **	うわばき	uwabaki
school backpack (elementary school)	ランドセル ***	らんどせる	randoseru

 * シャーペン shāpen (“mechanical pencil”) is 和製英語 Wasei-eigo (“Japanese-made English”)  word that is the shorter version of シャープペンシル “sharp pencil.”

** Wearing 上履き uwabaki (“school indoor shoes”) at school is something particular about Japan. This comes from the Japanese culture and etiquette that people are expected to remove their shoes when entering homes and other particular rooms or buildings.

*** ランドセル randoseru (“school backpack for elementary school kids”) is a unique Japanese school backpack usually made of leather with a firm structure. Traditionally, parents or grandparents give children as a gift upon entering elementary school. They use the same randoseru for 6 years until they graduate from elementary school. 

To enhance your Japanese vocabulary and learn more about Japanese basic nouns, please check out Guide to the Top 100+ Japanese Nouns.

ランドセルは日本の小学校のかばんです。

Randoseru wa Nihon no shōgakkō no kaban desu.

(“Randoseru is a bag for elementary school in Japan” )

6. Example Sentences

タメ口 Tameguchi (“peer language”) or casual speech form can be used when talking among students. However, 敬語 keigo (“honorific speech”) or polite language should be used for teachers.

Here are some basic phrases in Japanese classrooms using school vocabulary:

[Japanese]     鉛筆を1本借りてもいい？　Enpitsu o ippon karite mo ii?  (casual)      　　          

[English]        “May I borrow a (one) pencil? ”

*Japanese language learning: To learn more about Japanese numbers, see Japanese Numbers: Let’s Master the Basic Japanese Numbers!

[Japanese]    生物の教科書を失くしちゃった。    (casual)
                       Seibutsu no kyōkasho o nakushichatta. 
[English]        “I lost my biology textbook.”

[Japanese]    宿題を忘れました。 (polite)
                       Shukudai o wasuremashita.
[English]        “I forgot my homework.”

[Japanese]    消しゴム持ってる?     Keshigomu motte ru?    (casual)    　

[English]        “Do you have an eraser?”

[Japanese]    これ使っていいよ。   Kore tsukatte ii yo.     (casual)   

[English]        “Here, you can use this.”

[Japanese]    ありがとう、後で返すね。  Arigatō, ato de kaesu ne.     (casual)   

[English]        “Thanks, I will return it to you later.”

[Japanese]    明日の朝は体育館で全校朝礼があります。     (polite)
                       Ashita no asa wa taiikukan de zenkō chōrei ga arimasu.

[English]        “We will have a whole school assembly at the gymnasium tomorrow morning. ”

[Japanese]    明日の化学の試験は何時だっけ？       (casual)
                       Ashita no kagaku no shiken wa nan-ji dakke?
[English]        “What time is the chemistry test tomorrow?”

*Please visit How to Tell Time in Japanese article and Japanese Calendar Dates: Reading Dates in Japanese & More on JapanesePod101 to learn how to tell time and date in Japanese.

消しゴム持ってる?  Keshigomu motte ru?    (“Do you have an eraser?”)

2. Classroom Greetings and Calls 

Some of the most essential Japanese classroom phrases are greetings and calls used at school.

Here is the list of frequently used Japanese words and greetings in classrooms.

[Japanese]     先生 / 教授、おはようございます。　Sensei / kyōju, ohayō gozaimasu.  (polite)
[English]        “Good morning teacher / professor.”

*Japanese language learning: To learn more Japanese greetings, check out How to Say Hello in Japanese: Practical Japanese Greetings.

[Japanese]    おはよう。 Ohayō.   (casual)    　　  

[English]        “Good morning.”

[Japanese]    バイバイ。 Bai bai.   (casual)    　　  

[English]        “Bye bye.”

[Japanese]    また明日。 Mata ashita.  (casual)    　　  

[English]        “See you tomorrow.”

[Japanese]    先生、さようなら。 Sensei, sayōnara.   (polite)    　　  

[English]        “Good bye, teacher.”

[Japanese]    起立！   　 気をつけ！　   礼!　      着席!            (imperative)

                       Kiritsu ! Ki o tsuke ! Rei ! Chakuseki !

[English]        “Stand up! Attention (make a good posture)! Bow!  Seated down! ”

*This is the traditional call and ritual of bowing in Japan at the start and end of school class to greet the teacher. Usually, one of the students in a class is allocated to the call roll on a weekly or monthly basis.

When there is a whole school or classroom assembly, usually held in the gymnasium or schoolyard, the following phrases are used.

[Japanese]    集合！     Shūgō!     (imperative)    　

[English]        “Assemble / gather!”

[Japanese]    一列に並べ。   Ichi-retsu ni narabe.     (imperative)   

[English]        “Line up in a row.”

[Japanese]    前へならえ。  Mae e narae.     (imperative)   

[English]        “Stand at arm’s length. (Literally: follow (do) as front)”

[Japanese]    解散！ Kaisan !      (imperative) 　　   

[English]        “Dismissed!”

3. Explaining Absence and Tardiness/Leaving Early 

1. Taking Attendance

At Japanese Schools, usually from elementary school to high school, students have a “home class” and a particular teacher (担任 tannin) who’s in charge of its home class. Students usually stay in the home classroom and 担任 (tannin) teaches all the basic subjects in elementary school, and teachers of each subject come to the classroom to give classes in junior highschool and senior highschool.

The teacher in charge of a home-class calls the roll in the morning meeting. 

Japanese Vocabulary for Taking Attendance

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
take attendancecall the roll	出欠を取る	しゅっけつをとる	shukketsu o toru
present	出席	しゅっせき	shusseki
absent	欠席	けっせき	kesseki
tardiness / late	遅刻	ちこく	chikoku
leave early	早退	そうたい	sōtai

2. Teacher

Following are some teacher’s basic phrases in Japanese for taking attendance:

[Japanese]    静かに。出欠を取ります。 Shizuka ni. Shukketsu o torimasu.  　　  

[English]        “Quiet please, I will take attendance now.”

[Japanese]    名前を呼ばれたら返事をすること。   Namae o yobaretara henji o suru koto. 　　  

[English]        “Respond when your name is called.”

[Japanese]    全員いますか。  Zen’in imasu ka.　　  

[English]        “Is everyone here?”

[Japanese]    誰か欠席の人いますか。 Dare ka kesseki no hito imasu ka.      　　  

[English]        “Anybody absent?”

[Japanese]   [name]さんが今日欠席した理由を知っている人はいますか。

                      [name]-san ga kyō kesseki shita riyū o shitte iru hito wa imasu ka.

[English]     “Does anyone know why [name] is absent today?”

 はい、います。 Hai, imasu. (“Yes, I’m present”)

3. Student

Following are some student’s basic phrases in Japanese for taking attendance:

[Japanese]    はい、います。 Hai, imasu.  　　  

[English]       “Yes, I’m present.”   (response when your name is called) 

[Japanese]    [name] さんがいません。[name]-san ga imasen.    　　  

[English]      “[name] is not here.”

[Japanese]    すみません、寝坊したので遅刻しました。

                       Sumimasen, nebō shita node chikoku shimashita.

[English]        “I’m sorry, I was late because I overslept.”

[Japanese]    電車が人身事故で止まったので遅刻しました。

                       Densha ga jinshin jiko de tomatta node chikoku shimashita.

[English]        “I was late because the train stopped due to an injury accident.”

[Japanese]    [name]さんは昨日から体調が悪くて、今日は欠席です。 

                       [name]-san wa kinō kara taichō ga warukute, kyō wa kesseki desu.

[English]        “[name] has been sick since yesterday and is absent today.”

[Japanese]    足を骨折したので、体育の授業は見学します。 

                       Ashi o kossetsu shita node, taiiku no jugyō wa kengaku shimasu.

[English]        “I will just observe the PE class because I broke my leg.”

[Japanese]    すみません、とても気分が悪いので早退します。 

                       Sumimasen, totemo kibun ga warui node sōtai shimasu.

[English]        “Excuse me, I’m leaving early because I feel very sick.”

4. Teacher’s Phrases  

In the Japanese culture, names are called together with 敬称 keishō (“Japanese honorific title”), “さん san” is most commonly used.

When a teacher talks to a student : [student family name] + さん san 

In some cases, [family name of a male student] + 君 くん kun

The following are frequently used Japanese classroom phrases by teachers in a class.

1. Instructions

[Japanese]    みんな、席に着いて。 Minna, seki ni tsuite.  　　  

[English]       “Everyone, be seated.”

[Japanese]    [name] 君、早く座りなさい。　[name]-kun, hayaku suwarinasai.    　　  

[English]        “[name], sit down now.”

[Japanese]    では、始めます。 Dewa, hajimemasu.                   　  

[English]        “Well, let’s begin.”

[Japanese]    今日はXXXについて勉強します。    Kyō wa XXX ni tsuite benkyō shimasu.

[English]        “We are going to learn XXX today.”

[Japanese]    教科書のXXページを開いてください。  Kyōkasho no XX-pēji o hiraite kudasai. 

[English]        “Please open to page XX of your textbook.”

[Japanese]    これはとても重要です。   Kore wa totemo jūyō desu.  　　  

[English]        “This is very important.”

[Japanese]    これはテストに出るので、しっかり理解してください。 

                       Kore wa tesuto ni deru node, shikkari rikai shite kudasai.

[English]        “Please understand this well because this will be on the test.”

[Japanese]   しっかり聞いてください。 Shikkari kiite kudasai.　  

[English]       “Listen carefully.”

[Japanese]   　黒板の図を見てください。　Kokuban no zu o mite kudasai.  　　  

[English]        “Look at the diagram on the blackboard.”

[Japanese]    この質問の答えがわかる人は手をあげてください。 

                       Kono shitsumon no kotae ga wakaru hito wa te o agete kudasai.

[English]        “Raise your hand if you know the answer to this question.”

[Japanese]    最初に聞いてから、私の後で繰り返してください。    

                       Saisho ni kiite kara, watashi no ato de kurikaeshite kudasai.

[English]        “Listen first and repeat after me.”

[Japanese]    答えをノートに書いて。  Kotae o nōto ni kaite. 

[English]        “Write the answers in your notebook.”

[Japanese]    みんなで一緒に、２段落目から読みましょう。   

                       Minna de issho ni, ni-danraku-me kara yomimashō.

[English]        “Let’s read from the second paragraph together.”

[Japanese]    [name]さん、XXページを読んでください。

                       [name]-san, XX-pēji o yonde kudasai.

[English]        “[student name], read the page XX please.”

[Japanese]    紙を一枚ずつ取って、後ろの人に渡してください。

                       Kami o ichi-mai zutsu totte, ushiro no hito ni watashite kudasai.

[English]        “Take one sheet of paper and pass (the rest) to the person behind you.”

これはとても重要です。 Kore wa totemo jūyō desu.   ( “This is very important.”)

2. Homework

[Japanese]    今日の宿題はXXXです。    Kyō no shukudai wa XXX desu.

[English]        “Homework for today is XXX.”

[Japanese]    宿題は教科書XXページの１番から５番です。

                       Shukudai wa kyōkasho XX-pēji no ichi-ban kara go-ban desu.

[English]        “The homework is from the number 1 to 5 on page XX of the textbook.”

[Japanese]    今日学んだことを家で復習してください。  

                       Kyō mananda koto o ie de fukushū shite kudasai.

[English]        “Review at home what you’ve learned today.”

[Japanese]    前回出された宿題は、先生の机の上に提出してください。

                       Zenkai dasareta shukudai wa, sensei no tsukue no ue ni teishutsu shite kudasai.

[English]        “Please submit the homework given last time on the teacher’s desk.”

[Japanese]    宿題の提出は成績に反映されます。

                       Shukudai no teishutsu wa seiseki ni han’ei saremasu.

[English]        “Your homework submission will be reflected in your grades.”

3. Questions

[Japanese]    質問はありますか。    Shitsumon wa arimasu ka.

[English]        “Any questions?”

[Japanese]    皆さん分かりましたか。  Mina-san wakarimashita ka.

[English]        “Did everyone understand this?”

[Japanese]    誰かこの問題を解答できますか。   Dare ka kono mondai o kaitō dekimasu ka.  　　  

[English]        “Can anyone solve this problem?”

[Japanese]    正しい答えは何ですか。     Tadashii kotae wa nan desu ka.

[English]        “What is the correct answer?”

[Japanese]    ここまでで何か分からないことはありますか。

                       Koko made de nani ka wakaranai koto wa arimasu ka.
[English]        “Is there anything you don’t understand so far?”

  正しい答えは何ですか。  Tadashii kotae wa nan desu ka.  ( “What is the correct answer?”)

4. Keeping the Order

[Japanese]    静かにしなさい。Shizuka ni shinasai.

[English]        “Be quiet.”

[Japanese]    おしゃべりはやめなさい。  Oshaberi wa yamenasai.

[English]        “Stop talking!”

[Japanese]    自分の席に戻りなさい。    Jibun no seki ni modorinasai.

[English]        “Go back to your seat!”

[Japanese]    授業に集中しなさい。 Jugyō ni shūchū shinasai.

[English]        “Focus on the class!”

[Japanese]    質問がある時は手をあげてください。   Shitsumon ga aru toki wa te o agete kudasai.
[English]        “Raise your hand if you have a question.”

Japanese language learning : To learn more Japanese angry phrases, please also check out Getting Angry in Japanese: 20+ Useful Japanese Angry Phrases. 

5. Student’s Phrases 

At schools in Japan, faculty is usually called by his/her title by students.

When students talk to a teacher:  先生 sensei (“Mr./ Mrs.“, Literally: teacher)

When students talk to a professor:  教授 kyōju (Literally: professor)

If you want to be more specific, add a name in front of a title, such as 高橋先生 Takahashi-sensei (Mr./ Mrs.Takahashi, Literally: Takahashi teacher).

Here is the list of most useful Japanese classroom phrases used by students, including when asking questions to a teacher and when talking with other students.

1. Asking Questions

[Japanese]    すみません、何ページですか。    Sumimasen, nan-pēji desu ka.

[English]        “Excuse me, what page are we on?”

[Japanese]    わかりません。Wakarimasen.

[English]        “I don’t understand.”

[Japanese]    過去分詞の使い方がわかりません。Kakobunshi no tsukaikata ga wakarimasen.

[English]        “I don’t understand how to use a past participle.”

[Japanese]    その部分をもう一度言ってください。 Sono bubun o mō ichi-do itte kudasai.

[English]        “Please repeat that part again.”

[Japanese]    もう一度ゆっくり言ってもらえますか。 Mō ichi-do yukkuri itte moraemasu ka.

[English]        “Can you say that again slowly?”

[Japanese]    もっとわかりやすく説明してください。Motto wakariyasuku setsumei shite kudasai.
[English]        “Please explain it in a more understandable way.”

[Japanese]    質問があります。Shitsumon ga arimasu.

[English]        “I have a question.”

[Japanese]    質問してもいいですか。  Shitsumon shite mo ii desu ka.

[English]        “Can I ask you a question?”

[Japanese]    先生は今何て言いましたか。 Sensei wa ima nante iimashita ka.

[English]        “What did the teacher just say?”

[Japanese]    これは何て発音しますか。 Kore wa nante hatsuon shimasu ka.

[English]        “How do you pronounce this?”

[Japanese]    XXXはどういう意味ですか。　XXX wa dō iu imi desu ka.

[English]        “What does XXX mean?”

[Japanese]    どうしてこの場合に未来完了形を使うのですか。

                       Dōshite kono bāi ni mirai kanryōkei o tsukau no desu ka.　

[English]        “Why do you use the future perfect tense in this case?”

[Japanese]    これは合ってますか。 Kore wa atte masu ka.

[English]        “Is this correct ?”

[Japanese]    これが正解ですか。 Kore ga seikai desu ka.

[English]        “Is this the correct answer?”

[Japanese]    やっと理解しました。Yatto rikai shimashita.

[English]        “I finally understood.”

[Japanese]    トイレに行ってもいいですか。 Toire ni itte mo ii desu ka.

[English]        “May I go to the bathroom?”

[Japanese]    気分が悪いので、保健室に行ってもいいですか。

                       Kibun ga warui node, hokenshitsu ni itte mo ii desu ka.

[English]        “May I go to the infirmary because I feel sick?”

 質問があります。Shitsumon ga arimasu. (“I have a question.”)

2. Talking Among Students

The speech tone is very casual for conversations among students. The following are handy Japanese classroom phrases when you want to chat with your friends in a class.

[Japanese]    今どこ？ Ima doko?

[English]        “Where are we at?”

[Japanese]    今何ページ？　Ima nan-pēji?

[English]        “Which page are we on?”

[Japanese]    宿題やった？ Shukudai yatta?  
[English]        “Did you do your homework?”

[Japanese]    宿題やったのに、家に忘れてきちゃった。Shukudai yatta noni, ie ni wasurete kichatta.

[English]        “Though I did my homework, I forgot it at home.”

[Japanese]    後でノート見せてもらってもいい？  Ato de nōto misete moratte mo ii?

[English]        “Can I see your notebook later?”

[Japanese]    今日の授業は全然わからなかった。Kyō no jugyō wa zenzen wakaranakatta.

[English]        “I didn’t understand today’s class at all.”

[Japanese]    この問題が分からないんだけど、教えて。 Kono mondai ga wakaranai n da kedo, oshiete.

[English]        “I don’t understand this problem, can you teach me?”

[Japanese]    宿題は何だっけ？ Shukudai wa nan dakke?

[English]        “What is the homework?”

[Japanese]   教科書の何ページが試験範囲？ Kyōkasho no nan-pēji ga shiken han’i?

[English]        “Which pages of the textbook will be covered in the exam?”

[Japanese]    英語のテストはいつだっけ？  Eigo no tesuto wa itsu dakke?

[English]        “When is the English exam?”

[Japanese]   試験の勉強は全然できてない。  Shiken no benkyō wa zenzen dekite nai.             

[English]        “I couldn’t study enough for exams at all.”

[Japanese]    テスト/試験 どうだった？ Tesuto / shiken dō datta?

[English]        “How was your test / exams?”

[Japanese]   どうしよう、英語のテストが赤点*だった。Dō shiyō, Eigo no tesuto ga akaten* datta. 
[English]        “What should I do, I got a red mark on the English test.”

*赤点 akaten is a slang word for bad grades, it is literally translated as “red mark”, meaning “failing grades”.

[Japanese]   試験の結果は思ったより良かったよ。Shiken no kekka wa omotta yori yokatta yo.           

[English]        “The result of the exam was better than I thought.”

[Japanese]    試験期間が終わったら、カラオケに行こう！ Shiken kikan ga owattara, karaoke ni ikō!

[English]        “When the exam period is over, let’s go to Karaoke!”

テストどうだった？ Tesuto dō datta? (“How was your test?”)

6. Talking About Subjects  

1. Subject Vocabulary [From Elementary To High School]

School subjects are one of the most essential parts when learning classroom phrases and vocabulary. 

The following is the list of subjects (科目 kamoku) that are taught from elementary school to high school in Japan. 

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Reading
arithmetic(elementary school)	算数	さんすう	sansū
mathematics	数学	すうがく	sūgaku
science (elementary and middle highschool)	理科	りか	rika
physics	物理	ぶつり	butsuri
chemistry	化学	かがく	kagaku
biology	生物	せいぶつ	seibutsu
geography	地理	ちり	chiri
Japanese(national language)	国語	こくご	kokugo
modern literature	現代文	げんだいぶん	gendaibun
classical literature	古文	こぶん	kobun
English	英語	えいご	Eigo
social science	社会	しゃかい	shakai
politics and economics	政治経済	せいじけいざい	seiji keizai
Japanese History	日本史	にほんし	Nihonshi
world history	世界史	せかいし	sekaishi
art and craft(elementary school)	図工	ずこう	zukō
art	美術	びじゅつ	bijutsu
physical education	体育	たいいく	taiiku
home economics	家庭科	かていか	kateika
music	音楽	おんがく	ongaku

学科 gakka / 科目 kamoku (“School subjects”)

2. Subject Vocabulary [University]

Below are the common department / course of study (学科 gakka) taught in higher education, such as junior college or university.

English	Kanji / Katakana	Hiragana	Reading
Psychology	心理学	しんりがく	shinrigaku
Law	法学	ほうがく	hōgaku
Literature	文学	ぶんがく	bungaku
Business Management	経営学	けいえいがく	keieigaku
Statistics	統計学	とうけいがく	tōkeigaku
Accounting	会計学	かいけいがく	kaikeigaku
Information Technology	情報技術	じょうほうぎじゅつ	jōhō gijutsu
International Relations	国際関係	こくさいかんけい	kokusai kankei
Education	教育学	きょういくがく	kyōikugaku
Medicine	医学	いがく	igaku
Pharmaceutics	薬学	やくがく	yakugaku
Nursing	看護学	かんごがく	kangogaku
Architecture	建築学	けんちくがく	kenchikugaku
Agriculture	農学	のうがく	nōgaku
Foreign language	外国語	がいこくご	gaikokugo
French	フランス語	ふらんすご	Furansu-go
German	ドイツ語	どいつご	Doitsu-go
Spanish	スペイン語	すぺいんご	Supein-go
Russian	ロシア語	ろしあご	Roshia-go
Chinese	中国語	ちゅうごくご	Chūgoku-go
Korean	韓国語	かんこくご	Kankoku-go

3. Example Sentences

Here are some basic phrases in Japanese using subject vocabulary:

[Japanese]    私の一番好きな科目は [subject] です。 

                       Watashi no ichi-ban suki na kamoku wa [subject] desu.

[English]        “My favorite subject is [subject].”

[Japanese]    私は [subject] が得意です。Watashi wa [subject] ga tokui desu.

[English]        “I’m good at [subject].”

[Japanese]    私は [subject] が苦手です。Watashi wa [subject] ga nigate desu.

[English]        “I’m not good at [subject].”

[Japanese]   [subject] は難しいので嫌いです。  [subject] wa muzukashii node kirai desu.

[English]        “I don’t like [subject] because it’s difficult.”

[Japanese]    何の科目が一番好きですか。 Nan no kamoku ga ichi-ban suki desu ka.

[English]        “What is your favorite subject?”

[Japanese]   何の科目が得意ですか。  Nan no kamoku ga tokui desu ka.            

[English]        “Which subjects are you good at?”

[Japanese]    大学では [subject] を学びたいです。 Daigaku de wa [subject] o manabitai desu.

[English]        “I’d like to learn [subject] at university.”

[Japanese]   専攻学科は何ですか。Senkō gakka wa nan desu ka.        

[English]        “What is your major?”

[Japanese]   私の専攻学科は [subject] です。 Watashi no senkō gakka wa [subject] desu.         

[English]        “My major is [subject].”

[Japanese]    第二外国語としてドイツ語のクラスをとっています。

                       Dai-ni gaikokugo toshite Doitsu-go no kurasu o totte imasu.

[English]        “I’m taking German class as a second foreign language.”

Japanese language learning : If you want to learn more about how to introduce yourself in Japanese, please see How to Say “My Name is,” in Japanese + More!

7. Conclusion

In this article, we introduced 100+ most useful Japanese Classroom Phrases and Vocabulary, including:

• School vocabulary and the Japanese school system 
• Useful Classroom Greetings and Calls
• Explaining Absence and Tardiness/Leaving Early
• Teacher’s Phrases
• Student’s Phrases
• Talking about Subjects

Whether you are taking a Japanese class or you want to teach at a Japanese local school and/or study with native students, our guide of Japanese Classroom Phrases and Vocabulary will make your school life easier and more adaptable.

If you would like to learn more about the Japanese language, you’ll find a lot more helpful content on JapanesePod101.com. This is the best place to learn Japanese online, providing a variety of free lessons designed to help you improve your Japanese-language skills. 

If you are interested in more Japanese phrases sorted by situations, the following articles are just right for you: 

• Japanese Travel Phrases for an Enjoyable Trip to Japan
• 50+ Restaurants Phrases for Eating Out in Japan
• Essential Business Japanese: Learn the Most Useful Phrases

And there’s so much more! Be a faster learner and enjoy studying Japanese at JapanesePod101.com!

Before you go, let us know in the comments if there are any specific topics or situations you’d like to learn Japanese phrases for. We’d be glad to help, and we look forward to hearing from you! 

This list is geared towards new JET(s) with little or no Japanese ability. If you print this and keep it at your desk or in your English classroom, it could save you a lot of stress and confusion! Printable version is at the bottom of this page.

Note to future editors: Please do not edit the list if you plan on overcomplicating it with difficult vocabulary! This is a survival guide, not a dictionary.

Places

• Shokuinshitsu: Teacher’s Room
• Gakkou: School
• Chugakkou: Junior High School
• Shougakkou: Elementary School
• Budoujou: Training Hall
• Taiikukan: School Gym
• Guraundo: School Grounds
• Toshokan: Library
• Kyoushitsu: Classroom

Teaching/Grades

• Juugyou: Class/lesson
• Sensei/Kyoushi: Teacher
• Soumu: Head Teacher (grade)
• Tantou: Head Teahcer (subject)
• Gakusei: Student
• Nensei: Grade
• Ichinensei 1年生: First Grade
• Ninensei 2年生: Second Grade
• Sannensei 3年生: Third Grade
• Ichi: 1
• Ni: 2
• San: 3
• Yon/Shi: 4
• Go: 5
• Roku: 6
• Ni Jikanme: 2nd Period
• Souji: Cleaning Time
• Hiruyasumi: Lunch Break

Subjects

• Nihongo: Japanese
• Eigo: English
• Kagaku: Science
• Bijutsu: Art
• Taiiku: PE
• Rekishi: History
• Ongaku: Music

Classroom Vocabulary

• Shiken: Test/Exam
• Shukudai: Homework
• Renshuu: Practice
• Renshuu Mondai: Exercises
• Nôto: Notebook
• Kyoukasho: Textbook
• Shiken: Test/Exam
• Jisho: Ditionary
• Pasokon: Laptop
• Tsukue: Desk
• Isu: Chair
• Enpitsu: Pencil
• Pen: Pen

Time/Date

• Kyou: Today
• Ashita: Tomorrow
• Kinou: Yesterday
• Getsuyoubi 月: Monday
• Kayoubi 代: Tuesday
• Suiyoubi 水: Wednesday
• Mokuyoubi 木: Thursday
• Kinyoubi 金: Friday
• Doyoubi 土: Saturday
• Nichiyoubi 日: Sunday
• Ato De: Later
• Ima: Now
• Tsugi: Next
• Tsugi no juugyou: Next lesson
• Itsu desu ka: When?
• Doko desu ka: Where?

School Events

• Nyuugaku Shiki: Entrance Ceremony
• Sotsugyou Shiki: Graduation
• Bunkasai: Cultural Festival
• Undoukai: Sports Day
• Shuugaku Ryokou: School Trip

Miscellaneous

• Shucchou: Work Leave
• Nenkyuu: Paid Leave
• Byoukyuu: Sick Leave
• Bukatsu: School Club
• Nichiban: Student Leader in a class
• Kudasai: Please
• Onegai Shimasu: Please

EXPRESSIONS AND PHRASES

• Ohayo gozaimasu! : Good morning! (Say this every day when you walk into the shokuinshitsu)
• Hajimemashite: How do you do? (Literally «I am meeting you for the first time»)
• Yoroshiku onegai shimasu: I am pleased to meet you. (Literally «Please make good relations with me» or «Please be kind to me».)
• Kochira koso: My pleasure / Likewise
• Watashi wa ________desu. : I am _____________.
• (Country) kara kimashita: I came from (Country)
• Konnichiwa: Hello! (say when you are passing teachers in the hall)
• Sumimasen: Excuse me / Sorry
• Gomen nasai: Sorry (more apologetic)
• Shitsurei shimasu: Excuse me (more formal)
• Osakini Shitsureishimasu: Excuse me for leaving before you (Say this every day when you leave school at 4:15!)
• Genki desu ka?: How are you? / Are you well?
• Shuumatsu wa dou deshita ka?: How was your weekend?
• Ii tenki desu ne: Nice weather, isn’t it?
• Itsu desu ka?: When is it?
• Doko desu ka?: Where is it?
• ~~ Chuugakkou de Eigo no kyoushi desu: I am an English teacher at ~~JHS.
• Arigatou gozaimasu: Thank you
• Dou itashimashite: You are welcome / Don’t mention it / Not at all
• Omedetou gozaimasu: Congratulations!
• Daijoubu desu ka: Are you OK?
• Douzo: Go ahead / Here you go
• Itadakimasu: You say this to express your gratitude before meals (Elementary school lunch)
• Gochisou sama deshita: You say this to express your gratitude after meals (Elementary school lunch)
• Itterasshai: Take care / Have a nice day / Have a nice time
• Ki o tsukete: Be careful
• Odaiji ni: Take care of your body (say this to a friend who is sick)
• Yonde kudasai: Please read it
• Kaite kudasai: Please write it
• Kiite kudasai: Please listen
• Kurikaeshite kudasai / Repeato kudaisai: Please repeat
• Mou ichido itte kudasai: Please say it again
• Shitsumon wa arimasen ka: Do you have any questions?
• Isoide kudasai: Please hurry up
• Wakarimashita ka: Did you understand?
• Wakarimasen: I don’t understand
• Shitteimasu ka: Do you know it/them?
• Ganbatte kudasai: Please do your best!

Click below for printable version:

Japanese Schools
Words and Vocabulary

This section covers the words and vocabulary used to describe things related to Japanese schools.

In Japan, every student has to attend nine years of Compulsory Education. First six years in Elementary School and next three years in Junior High School.

Thereafter, most students will go to Senior High School and then University subsequently.

However, the Japanese school’s system requires students to take entrance examinations in order to enter their choice of Senior High Schools and Universities.

Japanese schools normally begin in April and end in March. That’s why graduation ceremonies are held in March. This actually coincides with the Japanese government’s fiscal year, where 1st of April marks the new fiscal year.

Have you seen the various beautiful uniforms of Japanese schools in drama or anime? I think Japan has the best designed school uniforms in the world. For example, the sailor outfit for the girls.

Some Japanese school girls like to wear their school uniforms even when they are not in school.

Let’s begin on the vocabulary to know more about things related to Japanese schools.

	Kanji	Hiragana or Katakana	Romaji	Meaning
1.	学校	がっこう	gakkou	School
2.	幼稚園	ようちえん	youchi en	Kindergarten
3.	小学校	しょうがっこう	shou gakkou	Primary School / Elementary School
4.	中学校	ちゅうがっこう	chuu gakkou	Secondary School / Junior High School
5.	高等学校	こうとうがっこう	koutou gakkou	Senior High School
6.	高校	こうこう	koukou	Senior High School
7.	大学	だいがく	daigaku	University
8.	大学院	だいがくいん	daigaku in	Graduate School
9.	公立学校	こうりつがっこう	kouritsu gakkou	Public School
10.	私立学校	しりつがっこう	shiritsu gakkou	Private School
11.	夜学校	やがっこう	ya gakkou	Night School
12.	塾	じゅく	juku	Cram School
13.	国語	こくご	kokugo	National Language (Japanese)
14.	英語	えいご	eigo	English
15.	科学	かがく	kagaku	Science
16.	化学	かがく	kagaku	Chemistry
17.	数学	すうがく	suugaku	Mathematics
18.	物理	ぶつり	butsuri	Physics
19.	生物学	せいぶつがく	seibutsu gaku	Biology
20.	美術	びじゅつ	bijutsu	Art
21.	体育	たいいく	taiiku	Physical Education
22.	歴史	れきし	rekishi	History
23.	地理	ちり	chiri	Geography
24.	経済	けいざい	keizai	Economics
25.	文学	ぶんがく	bun gaku	Literature
26.	音楽	おんがく	on gaku	Music
27.	工学	こうがく	kou gaku	Engineering
28.	医学	いがく	i gaku	Medicine
29.	建築学	けんちくがく	kenchiku gaku	Architecture
30.	会計学	かいけいがく	kaikei gaku	Accounting
31.	哲学	てつがく	tetsu gaku	Philosophy
32.	法学	ほうがく	hou gaku	Law
33.	専攻	せんこう	senkou	Major Subject
34.	寮	りょう	ryou	Hostel / Dormitory
35.	寄宿舎	きしゅくしゃ	kishuku sha	Dormitory / Boading House
36.	図書館	としょかん	tosho kan	Library
37.	体育館	たいいくかん	taiiku kan	Gymnasium
38.	教室	きょうしつ	kyou shitsu	Classroom
39.	事務室	じむしつ	jimu shitsu	Office
40.	実験室	じっけんしつ	jikken shitsu	Laboratory
41.	校長	こうちょう	kouchou	Principal
42.	教頭	きょうとう	kyoutou	Vice Principal
43.	先生	せんせい	sensei	Teacher
44.	教師	きょうし	kyoushi	Teacher
45.	学生	がくせい	gakusei	Student
46.	留学生	りゅうがくせい	ryuu gakusei	Oversea Student
47.	同級生	どうきゅうせい	dou kyuu sei	Classmate
48.		クラスメート	kurasume-to	Classmate
49.	義務教育	ぎむきょういく	gimu kyouiku	Compulsory Education
50.	制服	せいふく	seifuku	Uniform
51.	入学	にゅうがく	nyuu gaku	Entry to School / Admission to School
52.	卒業	そつぎょう	sotsugyou	Graduation
53.	試験	しけん	shiken	Examination / Test
54.		テスト	tesuto	Test
55.	中間試験	ちゅうかんしけん	chuukan shiken	Midterm Examination
56.	期末試験	きまつしけん	kimatsu shiken	Final Examination
57.	受験	じゅけん	juken	Sit for an Examination
58.	授業	じゅぎょう	jugyou	Lesson
59.	宿題	しゅくだい	shukudai	Homework
60.	質問	しつもん	shitsumon	Question
61.	練習問題	れんしゅうもんだい	renshuu mondai	Exercises
62.	辞書	じしょ	jisho	Dictionary
63.	教科書	きょうかしょ	kyouka sho	Textbook
64.	参考書	さんこうしょ	sankou sho	Reference Book
65.		ノート	no-to	Notebook
66.	計算器	けいさんき	keisan ki	Calculator
67.	鉛筆	えんぴつ	enpitsu	Pencil
68.	消しゴム	けしゴム	keshi gomu	Eraser
69.		ペン	pen	Pen
70.	定規	じょうぎ	jougi	Ruler
71.	本	ほん	hon	Book
72.	本棚	ほんだな	hondana	Bookshelf
73.	黒板	こくばん	kokuban	Blackboard
74.		ホワイトボード	howaito bo-do	Whiteboard
75.		チョーク	cho-ku	Chalk
76.		マーカー	ma-ka-	Marker
77.	机	つくえ	tsukue	Desk
78.	椅子	いす	isu	Chair
79.		テーブル	te-buru	Table
80.		ランドセル	randoseru	Firm-sided Backpack made of Leather

The above is the word list related to Japanese schools.

And if you are interested to know more vocabulary related to a school, especially those related to an university campus, make sure you check out this page on useful words and phrases for living on a school campus.

By the way, this link above is an affiliate link, which means that I would earn a commission if you do end up purchasing the related learning course. It’s at no extra cost to you, and please if you have any questions related to this learning course, please let me know and I would be happy to answer them for you.

Buy me a coffee

Like This Page?

For reference, a list Japanese school years, grades, and the ages characters attend school in anime. Including terms like shougakkou ichinen 小学校一年,.chuugakkou sannen 中学校三年, koukou ichinen 高校一年 and so on.

• Chart
• Basic Vocabulary
• Hoikuen 保育園
• Hoikusho 保育所
• Youchien 幼稚園
• Shougakkou 小学校
• Chuugakkou 中学校
• Koukou 高校
• Daigaku 大学
• Other Courses

Chart

Basic Vocabulary

To begin with, the Japanese school system, much like the rest of the world, works by grades which are associated to years.

• gakunen 学年
  School year.
• atarashii gakunen ga hajimaru 新しい学年が始まる
  A new school year begins.
• sorosoro kono gakunen ga owaru そろそろこの学年が終わる
  Soon this school year ends.

These years can be counted with Japanese numbers plus nen 年, the word for counting years in Japanese, like this, see:

• ichinen 一年 (or 1年)
  One year. First year.
• ninen 二年 (or 2年)
  Two years. Second year.

Not that the numbers can be written with kanji (一二三四五) or Arabic digits (１２３４５).

You can create words for students of a given year by adding the suffix sei 生 to the year words. For example: ichinen-sei 一年生 is an ichinen student, a «first year student.» Also works for ninensei, sannensei, etc.

Other important words:

• gumi 組み
  Class. A class of students.
  (A-gumi A組み, «class A,» 1-gumi １組, «class 1,» etc.)
• sotsugyou suru 卒業する
  To graduate.
• ryuunen suru 留年する
  To repeat a year. (literally «detain year»)

Some other posts you might want to see later:

• Types of Schools (gakuen, private, public, coed, single-sex)
• Ages in Japanese: How to Say Years Old in Japanese
• Words for Student in Japanese (ichinensei, koukousei, joshikousei, etc.)

Hoikuen 保育園

The hoikuen 保育園 isn’t really a «school» but a place that takes care of babies and children under 6 years old for their parents.

In Japanese, the word hoikuen means «nursing,» hoiku 保育, «garden,» en 園. A nursing garden. A nursery, or nursing school.

There are many reasons for children to be placed in a hoikuen: both parents work, no babysitter, the stay-at-home parent was hospitalized, etc.

At three years old a child can go to an optional preschool, and at six years old they have to go to grade school, so normally a hoikuen doesn’t have children under 6.

As one would expect, hoikuen are kind of rare in anime.

Manga: Usagi Drop うさぎドロップ (Chapter 2)

• Context: a guy is buying clothes for his aunt, who’s a 6 year old girl, when he questions why she’s not picking skirts.
• hoikuen dewa sukaato dame dakara
  ほいくえんではスカートはだめだから
  Because in the nursery school, [you can’t wear] skirts.
• hoikuen ほいくえん
  Written with hiragana instead of kanji because children can’t speak kanji.
• dame だめ
  Not good. Not allowed. Forbidden. Etc.
  (skirts are not good, i.e. you can’t wear skirts.)
• soo na no?
  そーなの？
  [Is that so?]
• soo そー
  Same thing as sou そう.

Hoikusho 保育所

The term hoikusho 保育所, literally «nursing place,» is synonymous with hoikuen 保育園. The only difference is that hoikusho is the official name found in laws, etc., while hoikuen is the popular name, frequently added to the names of such nursing schools.

Youchien 幼稚園

The youchien 幼稚園 is a school for children ages ranging from 3 years old to 5 years old.

In Japanese, the word youchien means «infancy,» youchi 幼稚, «garden,» en 園. Infancy garden. A garden for infants. A kindergarten.

Note, however, that in the Unites States the term kindergarten refers to the first year of elementary school (which would be the last year of a youchien). The first two years of youchien would be equivalent to preschool or pre-kindergarten in the US.

School Years

youchien nenshou 幼稚園年少
Junior year of kindergarten.
(nenshou means «youth,» literally «age little.»)
Ages 3 to 4. Preschool, pre-kindergarten in the US.

youchien nenchuu 幼稚園年中
Middle year of kindergarten.
(nenchuu is literally «age middle.»)
Ages 4 to 5. Preschool, pre-kindergarten in the US.

youchien nenchou 幼稚園年長
Senior year of kindergarten.
(nenchou means «senior,» literally «age long.»)
Ages 5 to 6. Kindergarten in the US.

Shougakkou 小学校

The shougakkou 小学校 in Japan would be equivalent to an «elementary school,» «primary school,» or «grade school» in the United States from first grade and up.

A student of a shougakkou is a shougakusei 小学生.

In Japanese, the word shougakkou means «small,» shou 小, «school,» gakkou 学校. Small school.

Shougaku 小学

Sometimes, shougakkou is abbreviated to shougaku 小学.

School Years

shougakkou ichinen 小学校一年 (or 小学校１年)
shougau ichinen 小学一年 (or 小学１年)
Elementary school first year.
Ages 6 to 7. Same as first grade in the USA.

shougakkou ninen 小学校二年 (or 小学校２年)
shougaku ninen 小学二年 (or 小学２年)
Elementary school second year.
Ages 7 to 8. Same as second grade in the USA.

shougakkou sannen 小学校三年 (or 小学校３年)
shougaku sannen 小学三年 (or 小学３年)
Elementary school third year.
Ages 8 to 9. Same as third grade in the USA.

shougakkou yonnen 小学校四年 (or 小学校４年)
shougaku yonnen 小学四年 (or 小学４年)
Elementary school fourth year.
Ages 9 to 10. Same as fourth grade in the USA.

shougakkou gonen 小学校五年 (or 小学校５年)
shougaku gonen 小学五年 (or 小学５年)
Elementary school fifth year.
Ages 10 to 11. Same as fifth grade in the USA.

shougakkou rokunen 小学校六年 (or 小学校６年)
shougaku rokunen 小学六年 (or 小学６年)
Elementary school sixth year.
Ages 11 to 12. Same as sixth grade in the USA.

Chuugakkou 中学校

The chuugakkou 中学校 in Japan has no real equivalent in the United States school system.

This is because it starts at the same time as «middle school,» however, in the US «middle school» is sometimes called «junior high school» instead. Most notably, the last year of chuugakkou is equivalent to the freshman year (first year) of high school in the US.

A student of a chuugakkou is a chuugakusei 中学生.

The word chuugakkou means «middle,» chuu 中, «school,» gakkou 学校. Middle school.

Chuugaku 中学

Sometimes, chuugakkou is abbreviated to chuugaku 中学.

School Years

chuugakkou ichinen 中学校一年 (or 中学校１年)
chuugaku ichinen 中学一年 (or 中学１年)
Middle school first year.
Ages 12 to 13. Same as seventh grade in the USA; first year of middle school or junior high.

chuugakkou ninen 中学校二年 (or 中学校２年)
chuugaku ninen 中学二年 (or 中学２年)
Middle school second year.
Ages 13 to 14. Same the eighth grade in the USA; second year of middle school or junior high.

chuugakkou sannen 中学校三年 (or 中学校３年)
chuugaku sannen 中学三年 (or 中学３年)
Middle school third year.
Ages 14 to 15. Same as the ninth grade in the USA; high school freshman or first year.

Koukou 高校

The koukou 高校 in Japan is equivalent to the last three years of high school in the United States.

A student of a koukou is a koukousei 高校生.

Koutou Gakkou 高等学校

You may have noticed that, unlike shougakkou and chuugakkou, the word koukou has no gakkou in it. This is because the word koukou is an abbreviation of koutou gakkou 高等学校. Despite being an abbreviation, koukou is used with more frequency than koutou gakkou in anime.

The word koutou gakkou means «high grade,» koutou 高等, «school,» gakkou 学校. High-grade school. High school.

School Years

koukou ichinen 高校一年 (or 高校１年)
koutou gakkou ichinen 高等学校一年 (or 高等学校１年)
High school first year.
Ages 15 to 16. Same as tenth grade in the USA; high school sophomore or second year.

koukou ninen 高校二年 (or 高校２年)
koutou gakkou ninen 高等学校二年 (or 高等学校２年)
Middle school second year.
Ages 16 to 17. Same the eleventh grade in the USA; high school junior or third year..

koukou sannen 高校三年 (or 高校３年)
koutou gakkou sannen 高等学校三年 (or 高等学校３年)
Middle school third year.
Ages 17 to 18. Same as the twelfth grade in the USA; high school senior or fourth year.

Daigaku 大学

A daigaku 大学 in Japan is any post-secondary school, this includes universities, colleges, etc.

A student of a daigaku is a daigakusei 大学生.

The word daigaku means «large» or «big,» dai 大, «education,» gaku 学. Large education.

daigakkou 大学校

One would think that since shougaku and chuugaku are abbreviations of shougakkou and chuugakkou, daigaku ought to be an abbreviation of daigakkou, right?

Wrong.

The word daigaku is not an abbreviation of daigakkou. The word daigaku as-is is the word the education officials of Japan chose for post-secondary education. And, yes, the naming is a mess. Nobody is saying it makes sense. I just want to note if a school calls itself a daigakkou, «big school,» they aren’t necessarily an actual daigaku, «college.» These words are not the same thing.

School Years

daigaku ichinen 大学一年 (大学１年)
College first year. University first year.
Ages 18 and 19.

daigaku ninen 大学二年 (大学２年)
College first year. University first year.
Ages 19 and 20.

daigaku sannen 大学三年 (大学３年)
College first year. University first year.
Ages 20 and 21.

daigaku yonnen 大学四年 (大学４年)
College first year. University first year.
Ages 21 and 22.

Other Courses

Besides the schools above there are other types of schools that should be taken note of.

Koutou Senmon Gakkou 高等専門学校

A koutou senmon gakkou is a mix of high-school and college. A technical college.

While the normal koutou gakkou (koukou) has three school years, a koutou senmon gakkou has five school years. You’d start it at 15 or 16 years old (just like in a koukou), but finish it 19 or 20 years old.

The words koutou senmon gakkou mean «high-grade,» koutou 高等, «specialty,» 専門, «school,» gakkou 学校. A high school to create specialists, technicians.

Tanki Daigaku 短期大学

A tanki daigaku is a college with fewer years than normal. It’s equivalent to «junior college» in the united states.

While the average daigaku course takes four years to complete, a tanki daigaku takes only two or three years.

The words tanki daigaku mean «short,» tan 短, «term,» ki 期, «university,» daigaku 大学. A short term college or university.

Ika Daigaku 医科大学

An ika daigaku is a «medical college.»

As one would expected, a course in medicine is harder than your average course, and take longer to complete. Because of that, an ika daigaku usually takes six years to graduate from, compared to the four years of the average college. The graduate would have at least 23 or 24 years old.

The words ika daigaku mean «medical science,» ika 医科, «school,» gakkou 大学. Medical science school. Medicine school.