初中
chūzhōng
In Mandarin, junior high school is 初中 (chūzhōng). If unsure, use 初中. Wiktionary also lists 初級中學 / 初级中学 (chūjí zhōngxué).
Meaning: school for children that have completed elementary school (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mandarin | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 初中 | chūzhōng |
| 初級中學 / 初级中学 | chūjí zhōngxué |
In mainland China, this term specifically refers to the three-year period of schooling between elementary school and high school.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 初中 is an abbreviation where 初 means 'initial/beginning' and 中 means 'middle'.
Which one should you use?
初中 is the common, shortened form used in daily conversation, whereas 初级中学 is the full, formal name used in official documents or academic contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term 国民中学 is used in some regions to refer to a type of junior high school that is public or government-funded.
How do you pronounce it?
chūzhōng
Did you know?
- The word 初 in 初中 is also used in the phrase 初戀, which means 'first love', mirroring the 'beginning' or 'initial' stage of life.
- In mainland China, the term 初中 is often associated with the 'Zhongkao', a high-stakes entrance exam that determines which high school a student can attend.
- In some contexts, people use the term 初中生 to describe a specific phase of adolescent rebellion or 'awkwardness' in Chinese pop culture.
Examples in context
- 我不是個初中生。I'm not a junior high school student.This sentence is useful for expressing that someone is not a junior high school student using 初中.Tatoeba #891746 by Martha, translation #259439 by CK
- 我在初级中学教英语。I teach English at a junior high school.
- 请你把初中的学校证明给我看一下。Please show me your junior high school certificate.
- 他是我初中部的同学，我们已经认识十年了。He is my classmate from junior high, and we have known each other for ten years.
- 他在一所初中教書。Tā zài yì suǒ chūzhōng jiāoshū.He teaches at a junior high school.
- 這間初中離家很近。Zhè jiān chūzhōng lí jiā hěn jìn.This junior high school is very close to home.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their siblings' education.
- 佳怡 Jiayi妳弟弟現在讀初中嗎？Nǐ dìdi xiànzài dú chūzhōng ma?Is your younger brother in junior high school now?
- 俊杰 Junjie對，他在那間初中讀二年級。Duì, tā zài nà jiān chūzhōng dú èr niánjí.Yes, he is in second grade at that junior high school.
- 佳怡 Jiayi那間初中學費貴嗎？Nà jiān chūzhōng xuéfèi guì ma?Is the tuition at that junior high school expensive?
- 俊杰 Junjie還好，不算太貴。Hái hǎo, bú suàn tài guì.It's okay, it's not too expensive.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “junior high school” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
