卒業した
sotsugyō shita
The phrase 'I graduated' in Japanese is 卒業した (sotsugyō shita).
This phrase is used to state that someone has completed their course of study at a school or university. It is typically used with the particle を to indicate the institution being graduated from, such as in the phrase 大学を卒業した (graduated from university).
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 卒業した (sotsugyō shita) is the plain/informal past tense. In Japanese, you graduate 'from' a school by using the object marker を (wo) with the verb rather than a preposition like 'from'.
How do you pronounce it?
sotsugyō shita
Did you know?
- In a metaphorical sense, 卒業 is used to describe leaving a phase of life or a habit, such as 'graduating' from eating baby food or using a certain product.
- The second kanji in 卒業, 業, refers to 'work' or 'business', suggesting that graduation is the completion of a specific task or duty.
- In Japan, graduation ceremonies often take place in March, which is the end of the academic year. This stands in contrast to many Western countries where graduation ceremonies are held in the late spring or summer.
Examples in context
- 私は去年大学を卒業した。I graduated from university last year.This sentence is useful for stating that you graduated from university last year.Tatoeba #157646 by bunbuku, translation #256885 by CK
- 大学を卒業した後、２年間世界中を旅して回った。After I graduated from college, I spent two years traveling around the world.This sentence shows how to describe traveling the world after graduating from college.Tatoeba #997176 by mookeee, translation #953084 by CK
- 大学を卒業した後、私はふるさとに帰って３年間両親と一緒に住んだ。After I graduated from college, I moved back home and lived with my parents for three years.This sentence shows how to describe moving back home and living with parents after graduating from college.Tatoeba #997175 by mookeee, translation #953083 by CK
- 私は大学を卒業しました。I graduated from university.
- 高校を卒業しました。I graduated from high school.
- はい、卒業しました。Yes, I graduated.
- いいえ、まだ卒業していません。No, I haven't graduated yet.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their recent achievements.
- 結衣 Yui陽太、最近はどう？Yōta, saikin wa dō?Yota, how have you been lately?
- 陽太 Yotaやっと大学を卒業したよ。Yatto daigaku o sotsugyō shita yo.I finally graduated from university.
- 結衣 Yui本当におめでとう！Hontō ni omedetō!Congratulations, truly!
- 陽太 Yotaありがとう。結衣はどう？Arigatō. Yui wa dō?Thanks. How about you, Yui?
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
