卒業する
sotsugyō suru
To graduate in Japanese is 卒業する (sotsugyō suru).
The verb 卒業する (sotsugyō suru) means to be recognized by a university as having completed the requirements of a degree. You can also use the term 卒業式 (sotsugyōshiki) to refer specifically to a graduation ceremony.
Meaning: to be recognized by a university as having completed the requirements of a degree (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The noun 卒業 (sotsugyō) is composed of the kanji 卒 (completion/end) and 業 (work/business/study).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 卒業する takes the particle を to indicate the institution being graduated from.
How do you pronounce it?
sotsugyō suru
Did you know?
- The phrase 卒業する can be used figuratively in Japanese to mean 'to leave' or 'to break free from' a certain habit or a period of one's life.
- The kanji 卒 used in 卒業 was historically associated with the completion of military service or the end of a term of duty.
- In Japan, graduation is often treated as a major seasonal milestone, with most students graduating in March rather than May or June.
Examples in context
- トムは10月に卒業する。Tom will graduate in October.This sentence uses 卒業する to show a specific month of graduation.Tatoeba #8619753 by small_snow, translation #4921440 by CK
- 私たちは１８歳で高校を卒業する。We graduate from high school at eighteen.This sentence uses 卒業する to describe graduating from high school at a certain age.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 uses 卒業する to express a plan for graduating from college next year.Tatoeba #162619 by bunbuku, translation #245602 by CK
- 私は大学を卒業しましたI graduated from university.
- 卒業者は皆こちらに集まってくださいAll graduates, please gather here.
- 私はITコースを修了しましたI completed the IT course.
- あいつ、もう卒業した？Has he/she already graduated?
- 卒業生との再会が楽しみだI'm looking forward to meeting with my fellow graduates.
- おめでとうございます！卒業おめでとう！Congratulations! Congratulations on your graduation!
- 高校を卒業しましたI graduated from high school.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yota and Misaki are talking about their future plans.
- 陽太 Yotaいつ卒業するの？Itsu sotsugyō suru no?When are you graduating?
- 美咲 Misaki私は来年の三月に卒業するよ。Watashi wa rainen no sangatsu ni sotsugyō suru yo.I'm graduating next March.
- 陽太 Yotaいいな。準備はできてる？Ii na. Junbi wa dekiteru?That's nice. Are you ready?
- 美咲 Misakiまだ論文を書いてるから大変だわ。Mada ronbun o kaite iru kara taihen da wa.It's tough because I'm still writing my thesis.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “graduate” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
