卒業する
sotsugyō suru
The Japanese phrase for 'graduate from' is 卒業する (sotsugyō suru).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun 卒業, meaning graduation and the verb する, meaning to do.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Japanese, the verb uses the direct object marker を (wo) immediately following the name of the school. To express that someone has already graduated, use the past tense form 卒業した.
How do you pronounce it?
sotsugyō suru
What mistakes should you avoid?
Instead, use the direct object marker を (wo) with the school name.
Did you know?
- In Japan, the term 卒業 is often used metaphorically to describe leaving a job or finishing a phase of life, such as 会社を卒業する to mean retiring or quitting a company.
- The kanji 業 in 卒業 refers to a 'task' or 'work', making the literal meaning of the word 'to finish one's work' or 'to complete a task'.
- In Japan, the word 卒業 (sotsugyō) is often used in seasonal contexts, as most school years end in March rather than June. This makes graduation a major symbol of the beginning of spring.
Examples in context
- 私たちは１８歳で高校を卒業する。We graduate from high school at eighteen.This sentence shows how to use 卒業する when stating the age at which one graduates.Tatoeba #166705 by bunbuku, translation #247797 by CK
- 私の妹は来年、大学を卒業する予定だ。My sister expects to graduate from college next year.This sentence demonstrates how to use 卒業する when discussing future graduation plans.Tatoeba #162619 by bunbuku, translation #245602 by CK
- 彼女は大学を卒業しました。She graduated from university.
- 昨日、友達と高校を卒業したんだ。Yesterday, I graduated from high school with my friends.
- 彼は日本の大学を卒業する。Kare wa Nihon no daigaku o sotsugyō suru.He will graduate from a Japanese university.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their future plans.
- 陽葵 Himari陽葵はいつ大学を卒業するの？Himari wa itsu daigaku o sotsugyou suru no?When do you graduate from university, Himari?
- 健太 Kenta来年の三月には卒業するよ。Rainen no sangatsu ni wa sotsugyou suru yo.I will graduate in March of next year.
- 陽葵 Himari卒業した後はどうするつもり？Sotsugyou shita ato wa dou suru tsumori?What do you plan to do after you graduate?
- 健太 Kenta就職活動を頑張るつもりだよ。Shuushoku katsudou o ganbaru tsumori da yo.I plan to do my best with the job hunt.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
