中学生
chūgakusei[t͡ɕɨːɡa̠kɯ̟̊se̞ː]
The English phrase "middle schooler" is translated into Japanese as 中学生 (chūgakusei).
中学生 is a noun used to refer to a student in middle school.
Meaning: Translations (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the characters 中 (middle), 学 (study/learning) and 生 (student/living being), which literally translates to "middle school student".
Which one should you use?
In Japanese, 中学生 is often contrasted with 小学生 (elementary schooler) and 高校生 (high schooler) to specify a student's academic level.
How does it change in a sentence?
By adding the particle の to 中学生, you can create the form 中学生の. This allows the word to function as a possessive or to describe a state/period, such as "middle schooler's time" or "as a middle schooler".
How do you pronounce it?
chūgakusei
Did you know?
- Japanese culture has a concept called 中二病 (middle school second-year syndrome) to describe teenagers who develop delusions of grandeur or special powers.
- The character 生 in 中学生 can also be read as 'nama', meaning 'raw' or 'fresh', though in the context of a student it is always read as 'sei'.
- The term 中学生 is closely tied to the concept of 部活動 or 'club activities', which are often more rigorous than English 'extracurriculars' and can involve daily practice until late evening.
Examples in context
- 中学生のときによく聴いていた歌を思い出し口ずさんだ。I remembered a song that I had often listened to as a middle schooler, and I sang it softly to myself.This sentence shows how to use 中学生 to describe a period of one's life, such as "as a middle schooler".Tatoeba #11027343 by small_snow, translation #11279760 by pip
- 小柄な人と付き合うとね、守られてるって感じがしなくて、中学生と出かけてるような感覚になるんだよ。でも、今時、身長なんて気にしない人の方が多いよね？I feel like dating a smaller guy doesn't make me feel protected, but rather like I'm going on a trip with a middle schooler. But most people don't really care about height anymore, do they?This sentence uses 中学生 to compare a sensation to being with a middle schooler.Tatoeba #10613507 by small_snow, translation #10613511 by DJ_Saidez
- わたしのいもうとは、ちゅうがくせいです。My sister is a middle schooler.
- 彼はまだ中学生です。Kare wa mada chūgakusei desu.He is still a middle schooler.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two people are talking about a younger neighbor.
- 陽太 Yotaあの子、中学生になったんだね。Ano ko, chūgakusei ni natta nda ne.That kid has become a middle schooler, hasn't he?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、もうすぐ高校生だよ。Un, mō sugu kōkōsei da yo.Yeah, he'll be a high schooler soon.
- 陽太 Yota成長がすごく早いね。Seichō ga sugoku hayai ne.He is growing up so fast.
- 結衣 Yui本当にかっこよくなったね。Hontō ni kakko yoku natta ne.He really has become cool.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “middle schooler” translations and entries 中学生, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
