Nuance & Usage
学校 is the general word for school at any level. Compound words: 小学校 (shougakkou — elementary school), 中学校 (chuugakkou — middle school), 高校 (koukou — high school, abbreviation of 高等学校), 大学 (daigaku — university). Common phrases: 学校に行く (go to school), 学校を休む (be absent from school). Note that 学校 refers to the institution, while 教室 (kyoushitsu) refers to the classroom.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse particles: 学校に行く (go to school — direction/destination) vs. 学校で勉強する (study at school — location of action). Also, 学校 is not used for language schools or cram schools — those are 語学学校 (gogaku gakkou) and 塾 (juku) respectively. In Japanese culture, school life is central to youth identity, so 学校 carries strong social connotations.
Example Sentences (3)
毎朝八時に学校に行きます。
まいあさはちじにがっこうにいきます。
I go to school at eight every morning.
学校の近くにコンビニがあります。
がっこうのちかくにこんびにがあります。
There is a convenience store near the school.
風邪で学校を休みました。
かぜでがっこうをやすみました。
I was absent from school because of a cold.
Quick Quiz
Quick Quiz
N54 questionsTest your knowledge of 学校 with 4 different question types.
Want to practice this word?
Add to Fujiyama & Study with AI
Generate more example sentences, listen to native pronunciation, and review with SRS — all personalized to your JLPT level.