私の生徒
In Japanese, 'my student' is said as 私の生徒.
In an informal context, you may also hear Boku no gakusei used as a masculine way to say 'my student'. Additionally, if you wish to create a familial atmosphere, you can informally refer to students as Uchi no ko, which means 'my child'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 私の生徒 is composed of the pronoun 私 (I), the possessive particle の (of) and the noun 生徒 (student).
Which one should you use?
There are nuances in how you describe different types of students. 生徒 refers to a student in a general school context, particularly for primary or secondary school students. In contrast, 学生 is typically used for university-level students. If you want to describe a student whom you have personally mentored or taught closely, implying a deeper teacher-student bond, you should use 私の教え子.
Did you know?
- In certain professional crafts or traditional arts, a student is called 弟子 (deshi), a term that implies a rigorous apprenticeship often involving living or working under the master's guidance.
- In a very traditional or high-status setting, a teacher might refer to their students using the term 門下生 (monkasei), which refers to a 'disciple' or someone under a specific school of thought or art.
- The word 生徒 contains the character 生 meaning 'life' or 'birth' and 徒 meaning 'follower' or 'disciple'.
Examples in context
- あなたは私の学生です。You are my student (formal).
- うちの子たちは本当に優秀です。My students are really excellent (informal).
- 私の生徒がピアノを弾きます。watashi no seito ga piano o hikimasu.My student plays the piano.
- これは私の生徒です。kore wa watashi no seito desu.This is my student.
- 私の生徒はとても優秀です。watashi no seito wa totemo yuushuu desu.My student is very excellent.
Example conversation
Two teachers are talking in the staff room.
- 健太 Kenta陽葵さん、この生徒さんは誰ですか？Himari-san, kono seito-san wa dare desu ka?Himari, who is this student?
- 陽葵 Himari彼は私の生徒です。Kare wa watashi no seito desu.He is my student.
- 健太 Kentaそうなんですね。とても礼儀正しいですね。So nan desu ne. Totemo reigi tadashii desu ne.I see. He is very polite.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとうございます、健太さん。Arigato gozaimasu, Kenta-san.Thank you, Kenta.
