Japanese word

短大

Pronunciation

Romajitandai

Meaning

  • nounjunior college

Example

友達は短大で英語を学んでいます。tomo dachi wa tan dai de ei go o mana n de i ma su

My friend is studying English at junior college.

Illustration for 短大 (junior college)

More examples

私は短大を卒業して、四年制大学に編入しました。watashi wa tan dai o sotsu gyō shi te yon nen sei dai gaku ni hen nyū shi ma shi ta

I graduated from junior college and transferred to a four-year university.

Core concept

Describes a Japanese higher-education institution that offers shorter, often practical programs than a four-year university.

Common phrases

  • 短大に通うtan dai ni kayo u

    attend junior college

  • 短大を卒業するtan dai o sotsu gyō su ru

    graduate from junior college

  • 短大に進学するtan dai ni shin gaku su ru

    go on to junior college

Definition in Japanese

修業年限が二年または三年で、専門的な教育を行う高等教育機関。shu gyō nen gen ga ni nen ma ta wa san nen de sen mon teki na kyō iku o okona u kō tō kyō iku ki kan

Word origin

The noun 短大 (tandai) comes from 短期大学 (tanki daigaku, "short-term university"). Its kanji are 短 (tan, "short"), 期 (ki, "period"), 大 (dai, "large"), and 学 (gaku, "study").

Usage tips

  • Although junior college is the standard translation, Japanese 短大 (tandai) specifically names a Japanese institution type, not merely any college course lasting two years.

Other meanings

  • two-year collegenoun

Word lists with this word