Meaning
to graduate; to complete (a course); to finish school
Nuance & Usage
卒業する means to graduate from a school or complete a program. The noun 卒業 (sotsugyou) appears in: 卒業式 (sotsugyou-shiki — graduation ceremony), 卒業論文/卒論 (graduation thesis), 卒業生 (sotsugyou-sei — graduate/alumnus), 高校卒業 (high school graduation). Colloquially, 〇〇を卒業する is used humorously to mean "to move on from" something: アイドルを卒業する (graduate from being an idol/fan). The opposite is 入学する (nyuugaku suru — to enroll/start school).
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 卒業する (to graduate, completing a program) with 退学する (taigaku suru — to withdraw/drop out of school). 卒業 is successful completion; 退学 is leaving without completing. Also: the particle is を (not に): 〇〇大学を卒業する (graduate FROM 〇〇 university). 卒業見込み (sotsugyou mikomi) means "expected to graduate" and is used on job applications.
Example Sentences
来年の春に大学を卒業する予定です。
らいねんのはるにだいがくをそつぎょうするよていです。
I plan to graduate from university next spring.
卒業してから、もう五年が経ちました。
そつぎょうしてから、もうごねんがたちました。
It has already been five years since I graduated.
卒業論文のテーマについて、先生に相談しました。
そつぎょうろんぶんのてーまについて、せんせいにそうだんしました。
I consulted my professor about the topic for my graduation thesis.
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