Japanese word

中学

Pronunciation

Romajichūgaku

Meaning

  • nounjunior high school

Example

私は中学に通っています。watashi wa chū gaku ni kayo tte i ma su

I attend junior high school.

Illustration for 中学 (junior high school)

More examples

姉は中学を卒業して、高校に進学しました。ane wa chū gaku o sotsu gyō shi te kō kō ni shin gaku shi ma shi ta

My older sister graduated from junior high school and went on to high school.

Core concept

Refers to the school level that follows elementary school and comes before upper secondary school.

Common phrases

  • 中学に通うchū gaku ni kayo u

    attend junior high school

  • 中学を卒業するchū gaku o sotsu gyō su ru

    graduate from junior high school

Similar words

中学校chūgakkō: A school that provides education between elementary school and upper secondary school.

Definition in Japanese

小学校を卒業した後に通う学校またはその教育段階。shō gak kō o sotsu gyō shi ta ato ni kayo u gak kō ma ta wa so no kyō iku dan kai

Word origin

As a Sino-Japanese compound, 中学 (chūgaku, "junior high school") is a shortened form of 中学校 (chūgakkō, "junior high school"), combining 中 (chū, "middle") and 学 (gaku, "study").

Usage tips

  • In casual conversation, 中学 (chūgaku) often appears in 中学のころ (chūgaku no koro) when people recall their school years.

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