留学生
ryūgakusei[ɾʲɨːɡa̠kɯ̟se̞ː]
The English phrase "exchange student" is translated into Japanese as 留学生 (ryūgakusei).
留学生 is used broadly to describe any student studying in a foreign country, regardless of whether they are part of a specific, formal exchange program.
Meaning: student in an exchange scheme (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 留学 (ryūgaku), meaning 'study abroad' and 学生 (gakusei), meaning 'student'.
Which one should you use?
While 留学生 is a general term for any student studying abroad, 交換留学生 is a more formal term specifically used to refer to students participating in an official exchange program.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a noun, 留学生 does not change its form to indicate plurality. The context of the sentence determines if it refers to one student or multiple students.
How do you pronounce it?
ryūgakusei
Did you know?
- The kanji 留 in 留学生 carries the same character used in the word for 'to detain' or 'to hold back'.
- In Japanese university administration, being labeled a 留学生 can determine specific campus privileges and whether a student has access to certain dormitories.
- The suffix 生 (-sei) is used in 留学生 to denote a student, but it is also used in terms like 研究生 (kenkyūsei), which refers to a non-degree research student who is not officially enrolled in a program.
Examples in context
- 留学生の方ですか？Are you an exchange student?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is a 留学生.Tatoeba #2412266 by tommy_san, translation #2412268 by CK
- トムは中国人の留学生と付き合っている。Tom is going out with a Chinese exchange student.This sentence shows an example of using 留学生 in a personal context.Tatoeba #2412148 by tommy_san, translation #2458332 by CK
- 彼女はアメリカからの留学生です。Kanojo wa Amerika kara no ryūgakusei desu.She is an exchange student from America.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are talking about a new classmate.
- 大翔 Hirotoあの人は留学生なの？ano hito wa ryugakusei nano?Is that person an exchange student?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、アメリカから来たんだって。un, amerika kara kitan datte.Yes, I heard they came from America.
- 大翔 Hirotoいいなあ。英語を教えてほしいな。ii naa. eigo o oshiete hoshii na.That's nice. I want them to teach me English.
- 結衣 Yui一緒に話しかけてみようよ。issho ni hanashikakete miyou yo.Let's try talking to them together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “exchange student” translations and entries 留学生, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
