授業
jugyō[d͡ʑɨɡʲo̞ː]
In Japanese, the word for classes is 授業 (jugyō).
授業 refers specifically to classes within an educational context and is most commonly used in schools and universities. If you want to say that a class is currently in progress, you can use the term 授業中 (jugyō-chū) to mean 'in class' or 'during class'.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the characters 授 (to impart/bestow) and 業 (business/work/conduct), which literally means the act of imparting instruction.
Which one should you use?
While 授業 is a general term for any class, 講義 (kōgi) refers specifically to academic lectures, which is a term typically used in university settings.
How do you pronounce it?
jugyō
Did you know?
- If you are describing a 'class' in the sense of a social hierarchy or category, you would not use 授業, but rather 階級 (kaikyū).
- If a student says they are 'taking' a class, they often use the verb 受ける (ukeru), which also means 'to receive' or 'to suffer' something like an injury.
- Japanese classrooms often have a designated 'class leader' called the 学級委員 (gakkyū iin) who acts as a liaison between the teacher and students during 授業.
Examples in context
- 彼は授業を休んだ。He absented himself from classes.This sentence is useful for describing someone who absented themselves from 授業.Tatoeba #104408 by bunbuku, translation #299283 by CM
- 今日は授業ないの？Don't you have classes today?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has 授業 today.Tatoeba #12037782 by small_snow, translation #2396029 by CK
- 授業数が多すぎるよ。We have too many classes.This sentence is useful for expressing that there are too many 授業.Tatoeba #9399227 by bunbuku, translation #247872 by adjusting
- 数学の授業Math class
- 45 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are talking about their school schedule.
- 陽葵 Himari今日の授業は何時まで？Kyō no jugyō wa nanji made?Until what time are your classes today?
- 健太 Kenta三時まで授業があるよ。Sanji made jugyō ga aru yo.I have classes until three o'clock.
- 陽葵 Himariじゃあ、放課後に図書館で会おう！Jā, hōkago ni toshokan de aō!Then, let's meet at the library after school!
- 健太 Kentaいいよ、楽しみにしてるね。Ii yo, tanoshimi ni shiteru ne.Okay, I'm looking forward to it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 授業, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
