How to Say "Elementary School" in Japanese

小学校

shōgakkō[ɕo̞ːɡa̠k̚ko̞ː]

The English phrase "elementary school" is translated into Japanese as 小学校 (shōgakkō).

小学校 is the most standard and common way to say "elementary school" in Japanese.

What does it mean word for word?

The word is composed of the characters 小 (small), 学 (study) and 校 (school).

To say "when (I was) in elementary school", you can add の時 to the noun to form 小学校の時.

shōgakkō

Unlike many Western countries, Japanese elementary school students are responsible for cleaning their own classrooms every day, a task known as 掃除 (sōji).
Japanese elementary schools often have a ランドセル (randoseru), a sturdy leather backpack that is a iconic symbol of childhood and typically used for all six years.
Many 小学校 students walk to school in groups called 集団登校 (shūdan tōkō), often led by older students or adult volunteers.

君、小学校に行ってるの？
Do you go to an elementary school?
Tatoeba #9089152 by small_snow, translation #69210 by CM
この本はね、小学校の時に読んだよ。
I read this book when I was in elementary school.
Tatoeba #10574504 by small_snow, translation #10300095 by CK
トムとメアリーは小学校からの友達だよ。
Tom and Mary have been friends since elementary school.
Tatoeba #9594371 by small_snow, translation #9501342 by CK
わたしの子供は小学校に通っています。
My child attends elementary school.
小学校の校庭で遊ぶのが好きです。
I like playing in the elementary school playground.
父は小学校の先生です。
My father is an elementary school teacher.
昔、小中は楽しかったです。
Elementary school and junior high school were fun in the past.
小学校の教室で友達とおしゃべりします。
I chat with my friends in the elementary school classroom.
11 more sentences on Tatoeba

Misaki and Hiroto are talking about their children's education.

美咲 Misaki

息子はもう小学校に通っています。
Musuko wa mou shougakkou ni kayotte imasu.
My son is already attending elementary school.
大翔 Hiroto

そうなんですね。小学校は楽しいですか？
Sou nan desu ne. Shougakkou wa tanoshii desu ka?
I see. Is elementary school fun?
美咲 Misaki

はい、毎日楽しそうです。
Hai, mainichi tanoshi sou desu.
Yes, he seems to enjoy it every day.
大翔 Hiroto

それは良かったです。
Sore wa yokatta desu.
That's good to hear.

Sources

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