小学生
shōgakusei
The English phrase 'elementary school student' is translated into Japanese as 小学生 (shōgakusei).
The term 小学生 is used to refer to any child from the first to the sixth grade of primary education in Japan.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the phrase as a modifier, such as to say 'elementary school student's bag', add the particle の after the word to form 小学生の. To say that someone 'is an elementary school student' in a polite sentence, add です to the end of the phrase to get 小学生です.
How do you pronounce it?
shōgakusei
Did you know?
- Unlike in many English-speaking countries, 小学生 are responsible for cleaning their own classrooms and hallways as part of their daily routine.
- Many 小学生 use a special backpack called a ランドセル (randoseru), which is typically bought once and used for all six years of primary school.
- The character 生 in 小学生 is used for many types of students, but it literally means 'life' or 'birth'.
Examples in context
- 大学の教授： 「次は小学生の皆さんにアンケートをお願いします。」University Professor: "Next, I would like the elementary school students to complete the survey."
- 私の弟は小学生です。Watashi no otouto wa shougakusei desu.My younger brother is an elementary school student.
- あの小学生はとても元気ですね。Ano shougakusei wa totemo genki desu ne.That elementary school student is very energetic.
- 小学生向けの習い事を探しています。Shougakusei muke no naraigoto o sagashite imasu.I am looking for extracurricular activities for elementary school students.
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are talking about their children.
- 美咲 Misakiお子さんは今、何年生ですか？Okosan wa ima, nan nensei desu ka?What grade is your child in now?
- 健太 Kentaもう小学生になりました。Mō shōgakusei ni narimashita.He has already become an elementary school student.
- 美咲 Misakiそうなんですね！もう大きいですね。Sō nan desu ne! Mō ookii desu ne.I see! He's already grown up.
- 健太 Kentaはい、毎日学校に通っています。Hai, mainichi gakkō ni kayotte imasu.Yes, he goes to school every day.
