Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “junior high school” in Japanese. In this guide, we will provide you with both formal and informal ways of expressing this term, along with some regional variations if necessary. Whether you’re learning Japanese or just curious about the language, we hope this guide will be helpful to you.
Table of Contents
Formal Ways of Saying “Junior High School” in Japanese
In formal settings, such as during official conversations or in academic writing, you can use the following phrases to refer to “junior high school” in Japanese:
1. Chuugakkou (中学校)
Chuugakkou is the most commonly used term for “junior high school” in Japanese. It literally translates to “middle school” and is used to refer to the three-year educational institution for students aged 12 to 15.
Example:
Watashi no musuko wa ima chuugakkou ni imasu. (私の息子は今中学校にいます。) – My son is currently in junior high school.
2. Chuutou Gakkou (中等学校)
Chuutou gakkou is another formal term for “junior high school” in Japanese. It encompasses both lower and upper secondary education, which includes the three years of junior high school and the three years of high school.
Example:
Kare wa chuutou gakkou no sensei desu. (彼は中等学校の先生です。) – He is a teacher at a junior high school.
Informal Ways of Saying “Junior High School” in Japanese
In informal situations, such as casual conversations with friends or family, you can opt for the following phrases to refer to “junior high school” in Japanese:
1. Chuuni (中二)
Chuuni is a shortened, more colloquial version of chuugakkou. It is commonly used among younger people or in casual conversations.
Example:
Ore wa chuuni no toki ga omoshiroi to omotta. (俺は中二の時が面白いと思った。) – I thought junior high school was interesting during that time.
2. Chuu (中)
Chuu is an even more casual way to refer to “junior high school” in Japanese. It is often used in everyday conversations and among close friends.
Example:
Boku wa chuu ni iku no ga kowakatta. (僕は中に行くのが怖かった。) – I was scared to go to junior high school.
Regional Variations
Although the terms mentioned above are widely used across Japan, it’s worth noting that there might be slight regional variations in how “junior high school” is referred to in different areas. However, these variations are not as common and may not be necessary to learn unless you have specific regional interests.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “junior high school” in Japanese can be expressed formally as “chuugakkou” or “chuutou gakkou,” while informal ways include “chuuni” or “chuu.” Remember that choosing the appropriate term depends on the setting and the people you are conversing with. These phrases will help you communicate effectively when discussing educational institutes in Japan. Keep practicing and don’t hesitate to use these terms when appropriate. Japanese is a beautiful language, and your efforts to learn it will be greatly appreciated by native speakers. Good luck!
