大学
daigaku[da̠iɡa̠kɯ̟]
In Japanese, college is translated as 大学 (daigaku). Wiktionary also lists 大学校 (daigakkō).
Meaning: academic institution (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 大学 | daigaku | [da̠iɡa̠kɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 大学校 | daigakkō | [da̠iɡa̠k̚ko̞ː] (narrow) |
The term 大学 refers to an academic institution. To specify a college student, you append the suffix 生 to the word to form 大学生. In academic contexts, you may address professors or academic advisors using the formal titles 先生 or 教授.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 大学 literally means "great learning", composed of the characters for "big/great" (大) and "learning/study" (学).
How do you pronounce it?
daigaku
Did you know?
- A student may be a 大学生 but not yet be in the 大学 because of a common gap year tradition called 浪人 'wave man' for those studying for entrance exams.
- Entering a 大学 often coincides with the custom of 入学式 'entrance ceremony', where students and parents dress in formal suits or traditional kimonos.
- Because 大学 is derived from Middle Chinese, the pronunciation follows a pattern similar to many other East Asian languages, such as the Korean 'daehak'.
Examples in context
- 大学生です。I'm a college student.This sentence is useful for stating that you are a college student.Tatoeba #137609 by tommy_san, translation #568944 by CM
- 大学生ですか。Are you a college student?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is a college student.Tatoeba #137607 by bunbuku, translation #275628 by CK
- 大学生だよね？You're a college student, aren't you?This sentence is useful for confirming that someone is a college student.Tatoeba #7841572 by Ninja, translation #7841134 by CK
- 私は東京大学に通っています。I am attending the University of Tokyo.
- 大学で経済学を専攻しています。I am majoring in economics at college.
- 大学院で法律を学びたいと思っています。I am considering studying law in graduate school.
- 202 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their future plans after graduation.
- 陽葵 Himari卒業した後は、大学に行きますか？Sotsugyou shita ato wa, daigaku ni ikimasu ka?After graduation, are you going to college?
- 健太 Kentaはい、東京の大学に進学する予定です。Hai, Toukyou no daigaku ni shingaku suru yotei desu.Yes, I plan to enter a college in Tokyo.
- 陽葵 Himari健太さんは、何を勉強したいんですか？Kenta-san wa, nani o benkyou shitai n desu ka?Kenta, what do you want to study?
- 健太 Kenta経済学を学ぶつもりです。Keizaigaku o manabu tsumori desu.I intend to study economics.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “college” translations and entries 大学, 大学校, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 大学, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
