Japanese word

私立

Pronunciation

Romajishiritsu

Meaning

  • nounprivate

Example

姉は私立の高校に通っています。ane wa shi ritsu no kō kō ni kayo tte i ma su

My older sister goes to a private high school.

Illustration for 私立 (private)

More examples

この地域には私立の小学校もあります。ko no chi iki ni wa shi ritsu no shō gak kō mo a ri ma su

There is also a private elementary school in this area.

Core concept

Describes an institution established and run by a private person or organization rather than by the government.

Common phrases

  • 私立学校shi ritsu gak kō

    private school

  • 私立大学shi ritsu dai gaku

    private university

  • 私立高校shi ritsu kō kō

    private high school

Similar words

私学shigaku: A school or educational system established and run by a private person or organization.
市立shiritsu: An institution operated by a municipal government.

Definition in Japanese

国や地方公共団体ではなく、個人や民間団体が設立・運営する学校や施設。kuni ya chi hō kō kyō dan tai de wa na ku ko jin ya min kan dan tai ga setsu ritsu un ei su ru gak kō ya shi setsu

Word origin

私 (shi, "private") + 立 (ritsu, "establish") forms the Sino-Japanese compound 私立 (shiritsu) for an institution established by a private person or organization.

Usage tips

  • In speech, 私立 (shiritsu) can be confused with 市立 (shiritsu, "municipal"), so the surrounding context often identifies whether a school is private or city-run.

Opposites

Word lists with this word