Japanese word

幼稚園

Pronunciation

Romajiyōchien

Meaning

  • nounkindergarten

Example

妹は幼稚園に通っています。imōto wa yō chi en ni kayo tte i ma su

My little sister goes to kindergarten.

Illustration for 幼稚園 (kindergarten)

More examples

母は幼稚園の先生に質問しました。haha wa yō chi en no sen sei ni shitsu mon shi ma shi ta

My mother asked the kindergarten teacher a question.

Core concept

Refers to an educational setting where young children learn through play and group activities before entering elementary school.

Common phrases

  • 幼稚園の先生yō chi en no sen sei

    kindergarten teacher

  • 幼稚園に通うyō chi en ni kayo u

    go to kindergarten

  • 幼稚園を卒園するyō chi en o sotsu en su ru

    graduate from kindergarten

Similar words

保育園hoikuen: A childcare facility for young children whose guardians are unavailable during the day.
こども園kodomoen: An institution that offers both preschool education and childcare for young children.

Definition in Japanese

小学校に入る前の幼児が通い、遊びや集団生活を通して学ぶ教育施設。shō gak kō ni hai ru mae no yō ji ga kayo i aso bi ya shū dan sei katsu o tō shi te mana bu kyō iku shi setsu

Word origin

幼稚園 (yōchien) combines 幼 (yō, "young"), 稚 (chi, "immature"), and 園 (en, "garden or institution") to name an institution for young children.

Usage tips

  • The English word kindergarten comes from German Kinder, meaning children, and Garten, meaning garden, reflecting the idea of a garden for children.

Other meanings

  • preschoolnoun

Word lists with this word